Bill > S06136

This bill establishes comprehensive mandatory reporting requirements for senior abuse in New York State, defining seven specific types of abuse: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial/material exploitation, and self-neglect. The legislation requires certain professionals—including healthcare workers, social workers, mental health professionals, law enforcement, financial professionals, and others—to report suspected senior abuse within 48 hours when they encounter it in their professional capacity. Mandatory reporters must submit detailed written reports to adult protective services that include information about the senior, the potential abuser, the nature and extent of abuse, and actions taken. The bill creates a registry to receive abuse reports through multiple communication channels, mandates that institutions cannot retaliate against employees who report suspected abuse, requires employers to provide written information about reporting requirements to employees, and establishes that willful failure to report suspected abuse is a class A misdemeanor with potential civil liability. A "senior" is defined as a person 60 years of age or older, and the bill provides extensive, detailed definitions of what constitutes abuse in various contexts to help professionals identify and report potential mistreatment.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6136