Bill > A09295

This bill establishes a statewide initiative of not-for-profit guardians in New York to address gaps in guardianship services for individuals who cannot manage their own affairs due to age, disability, or other conditions. The initiative will create a program within the Office for the Aging that serves multiple purposes: (1) providing guardians for individuals over 18 when no suitable family, friend, or attorney can serve, (2) operating a free public helpline to guide people through guardianship processes, (3) building statewide capacity for guardianship services by training and supporting not-for-profit agencies, and (4) collecting and analyzing guardianship data. To participate, organizations must be tax-exempt, have experience or capacity in guardianship services, and follow specific legal duties. The program will be administered by a selected not-for-profit entity through a five-year contract, with funding coming from a newly established "statewide initiative of not-for-profit guardians fund" that can receive appropriations and grants. Participating organizations will be required to collect and report anonymized data on guardianship cases, and an annual report will be submitted to state leadership to assess the program's performance. The legislative intent is to address the current lack of affordable guardianship services, prevent exploitation by unscrupulous for-profit entities, and reduce strain on social services and Medicaid by providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary guardianship support.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A9295