S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         6555
                              2015-2016 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                    March 26, 2015
                                      ___________
       Introduced by M. of A. CRESPO -- read once and referred to the Committee
         on Aging
       AN ACT to amend the elder law, the penal law, the state finance law, the
         vehicle  and  traffic law and the banking law, in relation to enacting
         the senior anti-violence and enforcement act
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section  1.  This  act  shall be known and may be cited as the "senior
    2  anti-violence and enforcement act" (SAVE).
    3    S 2. The elder law is amended by adding a new article  4  to  read  as
    4  follows:
    5                                  ARTICLE 4
    6                          PROTECTION OF THE ELDERLY
    7                                   TITLE 1
    8                  SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE AND ENFORCEMENT ACT;
    9                            REPORTS AND FINDINGS
   10  SECTION 400. DEFINITIONS.
   11          401. STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTRY ESTABLISHED; REQUIREMENTS.
   12          402. DISPOSITION OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE REGISTRY.
   13          403. AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS.
   14          404. RELEASE OF INFORMATION.
   15          405. UNFOUNDED REPORTS.
   16          406. PENALTY FOR UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE.
   17          407. PERSONS  REQUIRED  TO  REPORT  SUSPECTED  SENIOR  ABUSE  OR
   18                 MALTREATMENT.
   19          408. ANY PERSON PERMITTED TO REPORT.
   20          409. REPORTING PROCEDURE.
   21          410. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY.
   22          411. PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO REPORT.
   23          412. ANNUAL REPORTS.
   24    S 400. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE:
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD01422-02-5
       A. 6555                             2
    1    1. "SENIOR" MEANS A PERSON SIXTY YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.
    2    2. "REGISTRY" OR "CENTRAL REGISTRY" MEANS THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGIS-
    3  TRY FOR SENIOR ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN THE STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING.
    4    3. "OFFICE" MEANS THE STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING.
    5    4. "COUNCIL" MEANS THE COUNCIL ON ELDER ABUSE CREATED PURSUANT TO THIS
    6  ARTICLE.
    7    5. "DESIGNATED AGENCY" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS PROVIDED IN SECTION TWO
    8  HUNDRED FOURTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER.
    9    6.  "LOCAL  SERVICE"  MEANS THOSE SERVICES AND AGENCIES THAT WORK WITH
   10  DESIGNATED AGENCIES AS PART OF THE TEAM IN INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS  OF
   11  ABUSE OF A SENIOR.
   12    7.  "ABUSED  SENIOR"  MEANS AND INCLUDES A SENIOR ABUSED IN ANY OF THE
   13  FOLLOWING MANNERS:
   14    (A) PHYSICAL ABUSE, INCLUDING THE SUFFERING OF BODILY INJURY, PHYSICAL
   15  PAIN, OR IMPAIRMENT RESULTING FROM THE USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE  AGAINST  A
   16  SENIOR  BY ACTS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO STRIKING WITH OR WITHOUT AN
   17  OBJECT, HITTING, BEATING, PUSHING, SHOVING, SHAKING, SLAPPING,  KICKING,
   18  PINCHING, AND BURNING, THAT RESULT IN PHYSICAL SIGNS OF IMPAIRMENT OR OF
   19  BEING  SUBJECTED  TO  PUNISHMENT,  OR  SIGNS  OF  BEING RESTRAINED, OR A
   20  SENIOR'S REPORT OF BEING HIT, SLAPPED, KICKED, OR MISTREATED.
   21    (B) SEXUAL ABUSE, INCLUDING NON-CONSENSUAL SEXUAL CONTACT OF ANY  KIND
   22  WITH  A  SENIOR,  INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO UNWANTED TOUCHING, SEXUAL
   23  ASSAULT OR BATTERY, RAPE, SODOMY, COERCED NUDITY, AND SEXUALLY  EXPLICIT
   24  PHOTOGRAPHING,  THAT  RESULT  IN  PHYSICAL  SIGNS  OF  IMPAIRMENTS  OR A
   25  SENIOR'S REPORT OF BEING SEXUALLY ASSAULTED OR RAPED.
   26    (C) EMOTIONAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL  ABUSE,  INCLUDING  THE  INFLICTION  OF
   27  ANGUISH,  PAIN,  OR DISTRESS THROUGH VERBAL OR NONVERBAL ACTS, INCLUDING
   28  BUT NOT LIMITED TO  VERBAL  ASSAULTS,  INSULTS,  THREATS,  INTIMIDATION,
   29  HUMILIATION,  AND HARASSMENT, INFANTILIZING A SENIOR, ISOLATING A SENIOR
   30  FROM HIS OR HER FAMILY, FRIENDS,  OR  REGULAR  ACTIVITIES,  OR  ENFORCED
   31  SOCIAL  ISOLATION,  THE  RESULTS  OF WHICH MAY BE EVINCED BY IMPAIRMENTS
   32  INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CAREGIVER'S REFUSAL TO  ALLOW  VISITORS
   33  TO  SEE  A SENIOR ALONE, OR CHANGES IN THE SENIOR'S BEHAVIOR THAT RESULT
   34  IN THE SENIOR BEING EMOTIONALLY UPSET OR AGITATED, BEING EXTREMELY WITH-
   35  DRAWN AND NONCOMMUNICATIVE OR NONRESPONSIVE,  UNUSUAL  BEHAVIOR  USUALLY
   36  ATTRIBUTED TO DEMENTIA (E.G., SUCKING, BITING, ROCKING).
   37    (D) NEGLECT, INCLUDING THE REFUSAL OR FAILURE TO FULFILL ANY PART OF A
   38  PERSON'S  OBLIGATIONS OR DUTIES TO A SENIOR, FAILURE OF A PERSON WHO HAS
   39  FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROVIDE CARE FOR A SENIOR OR  THE  FAILURE
   40  ON  THE  PART  OF  AN IN-HOME SERVICE PROVIDER TO PROVIDE SUCH NECESSARY
   41  CARE, INCLUDING THE REFUSAL OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE AN ELDERLY PERSON WITH
   42  SUCH LIFE  NECESSITIES  AS  FOOD,  WATER,  CLOTHING,  SHELTER,  PERSONAL
   43  HYGIENE,  MEDICINE,  COMFORT,  PERSONAL  SAFETY,  AND  OTHER  ESSENTIALS
   44  INCLUDED IN AN IMPLIED OR AGREED-UPON RESPONSIBILITY TO SUCH SENIOR, THE
   45  RESULTS OF WHICH MAY BE EVINCED BY SUCH VISIBLE PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS  AS
   46  DEHYDRATION,  MALNUTRITION,  UNTREATED  BED  SORES,  AND  POOR  PERSONAL
   47  HYGIENE, UNATTENDED OR UNTREATED HEALTH PROBLEMS,  HAZARDOUS  OR  UNSAFE
   48  LIVING  CONDITION/ARRANGEMENTS, UNSANITARY AND UNCLEAN LIVING CONDITIONS
   49  (E.G.  DIRT, FLEAS, LICE ON PERSON, SOILED BEDDING,  FECAL/URINE  SMELL,
   50  INADEQUATE CLOTHING).
   51    (E)  ABANDONMENT, INCLUDING THE DESERTION OF A SENIOR BY AN INDIVIDUAL
   52  WHO HAS ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING CARE FOR SUCH SENIOR, OR BY
   53  A PERSON WITH PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF A SENIOR, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
   54  THE DESERTION OF A SENIOR AT A HOSPITAL, A NURSING  FACILITY,  OR  OTHER
   55  SIMILAR  INSTITUTION,  OR THE DESERTION OF A SENIOR AT A SHOPPING CENTER
   56  OR OTHER PUBLIC LOCATION; OR A SENIOR'S REPORT OF BEING ABANDONED.
       A. 6555                             3
    1    (F) FINANCIAL OR  MATERIAL  EXPLOITATION,  INCLUDING  THE  ILLEGAL  OR
    2  IMPROPER USE OF A SENIOR'S FUNDS, PROPERTY, OR ASSETS, INCLUDING WITHOUT
    3  LIMITATION  CASHING  A  SENIOR'S CHECKS WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION OR PERMIS-
    4  SION, FORGING A SENIOR'S SIGNATURE,  MISUSING  OR  STEALING  A  SENIOR'S
    5  MONEY  OR  POSSESSIONS,  COERCING  OR  DECEIVING A SENIOR INTO SIGNING A
    6  DOCUMENT SUCH AS A CONTRACT OR A WILL, OR IMPROPER USE  OF  CONSERVATOR-
    7  SHIP, GUARDIANSHIP, OR POWER OF ATTORNEY.
    8    (G)  SELF-NEGLECT,  INCLUDING  THE  BEHAVIOR OF AN ELDERLY PERSON THAT
    9  THREATENS HIS OR HER OWN HEALTH OR SAFETY THROUGH THE REFUSAL OR FAILURE
   10  TO PROVIDE HIMSELF OR HERSELF WITH ADEQUATE FOOD, WATER, CLOTHING, SHEL-
   11  TER, PERSONAL HYGIENE, MEDICATION (WHEN INDICATED), AND  SAFETY  PRECAU-
   12  TIONS.
   13    8.  "PERSON  LEGALLY  RESPONSIBLE FOR A SENIOR" MEANS AND INCLUDES THE
   14  SENIOR'S CUSTODIAN, GUARDIAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FORMALLY OR
   15  INFORMALLY FOR THE SENIOR'S CARE AT THE RELEVANT TIME, ANY PERSON ACTING
   16  WITH POWER OF ATTORNEY, TRUSTEE APPOINTED BY A COURT, OR ANY PERSON  WHO
   17  BY  CONSENT,  CONTRACT OR LEGAL ORDER ACTS TO ARRANGE THE AFFAIRS OF THE
   18  SENIOR.
   19    9. "SUBJECT OF THE REPORT" MEANS A  PERSON  REPORTED  TO  THE  CENTRAL
   20  REGISTRY AS BEING ALLEGEDLY RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING THE INJURY, ABUSE OR
   21  MALTREATMENT  THAT HAS RESULTED IN A SENIOR BECOMING AN ABUSED SENIOR OR
   22  WHO ALLEGEDLY ALLOWS SUCH INJURY, ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT TO BE  INFLICTED
   23  ON SUCH SENIOR AND WHO IS:
   24    (A) A PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR A SENIOR;
   25    (B)  A PERSON, INCLUDING A DIRECTOR, OPERATOR, EMPLOYEE, VOLUNTEER, OR
   26  CONTRACTOR, IN A PUBLIC, PRIVATE,  OR  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  ENTITY  PROVIDING
   27  GOODS  OR  SERVICES TO A SENIOR PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT OR OTHER ARRANGE-
   28  MENT;
   29    (C) A PERSON RELATED TO THE SENIOR BY CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY; OR
   30    (D) A  PERSON  WHO  HAS  GAINED  ACCESS  TO  OR  CONTROL  FORMALLY  OR
   31  INFORMALLY  OVER  A  SENIOR'S FINANCES, MEDICATION, LIVING ARRANGEMENTS,
   32  SUCH THAT SUCH PERSON MAY CAUSE A SENIOR TO BECOME AN ABUSED SENIOR.
   33    10. "OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT" MEANS PERSONS OTHER  THAN  THE
   34  SUBJECT  OF  THE REPORT WHO ARE NAMED IN A REPORT OF SENIOR ABUSE. OTHER
   35  PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT SHALL  BE  LIMITED  TO  THE  SENIOR  WHO  IS
   36  REPORTED TO THE REGISTRY, AND SUCH SENIOR'S GUARDIAN, CUSTODIAN OR OTHER
   37  PERSON  LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SENIOR WHO HAS NOT BEEN NAMED IN THE
   38  REPORT AS ALLEGEDLY RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING  THE  SENIOR  TO  BECOME  AN
   39  ABUSED SENIOR.
   40    11. AN "UNFOUNDED REPORT" MEANS ANY REPORT MADE PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE
   41  WHICH IS NOT AN INDICATED REPORT.
   42    12.  AN "INDICATED REPORT" IS A REPORT MADE PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE FOR
   43  WHICH AN INVESTIGATION DETERMINES THAT CREDIBLE EVIDENCE EXISTS  THAT  A
   44  SENIOR IS AN ABUSED SENIOR.
   45    13.  "DIRECTOR"  MEANS  THE  DIRECTOR  OF  THE OFFICE FOR THE AGING AS
   46  DESCRIBED IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED ONE OF THIS CHAPTER.
   47    S 401. STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTRY ESTABLISHED;  REQUIREMENTS.  1.  THE
   48  DIRECTOR  SHALL  ESTABLISH IN THE OFFICE A STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTRY TO
   49  RECEIVE, MAINTAIN, AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATE ACCESS TO REPORTS MADE PURSU-
   50  ANT TO THIS TITLE CONCERNING THE ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT OF SENIORS.
   51    2. SUCH REGISTRY SHALL BE CAPABLE OF RECEIVING  REPORTS  BY  TELEPHONE
   52  CALL,  FAX,  E-MAIL,  AND  ANY OTHER FORMS OF COMMUNICATION THE DIRECTOR
   53  DEEMS APPROPRIATE, ALLEGING THAT A SENIOR HAS BECOME AN  ABUSED  SENIOR,
   54  OF  IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFYING PRIOR REPORTS OF ABUSE INVOLVING SUCH SENIOR
   55  OR OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT, AND SHALL BE CAPABLE OF MONITORING
       A. 6555                             4
    1  THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO SUCH SENIOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY,  SEVEN
    2  DAYS A WEEK. IN FURTHERANCE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS,
    3    (A)  THE OFFICE SHALL MAINTAIN STATEWIDE TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE VOICE AND
    4  FAX NUMBERS AND AN E-MAIL ADDRESS WHICH ANY PERSON, WHETHER MANDATED  BY
    5  LAW OR NOT, MAY USE TO CONTACT THE REGISTRY TO REPORT AN ALLEGATION THAT
    6  A SENIOR HAS BECOME AN ABUSED SENIOR.
    7    (B)  THE  OFFICE  SHALL  ADDITIONALLY  MAINTAIN  AN UNLISTED TELEPHONE
    8  NUMBER, FAX NUMBER, E-MAIL ADDRESS, AND SUCH OTHER COMMUNICATION  PROTO-
    9  COLS  AS  THE DIRECTOR DEEMS APPROPRIATE, WHICH ONLY PERSONS MANDATED BY
   10  THIS CHAPTER MAY USE TO REPORT AN ALLEGATION THAT A SENIOR HAS BECOME AN
   11  ABUSED SENIOR.
   12    (C) THE OFFICE SHALL ASSURE THAT THE COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS  REQUIRED
   13  BY  THIS  SECTION SHALL BE CAPABLE OF ALLOWING ALL PERSONS AUTHORIZED BY
   14  THIS TITLE TO DETERMINE THE EXISTENCE OF PRIOR REPORTS IN ORDER TO EVAL-
   15  UATE THE CONDITION OR CIRCUMSTANCES OF A SENIOR.
   16    3. INFORMATION MAINTAINED IN THE REGISTRY SHALL  INCLUDE  BUT  NOT  BE
   17  LIMITED TO:
   18    (A) THE INITIAL DATE OR DATE OF THE CONTACT WITH THE REGISTRY ALLEGING
   19  THAT A SENIOR HAS BECOME AN ABUSED SENIOR;
   20    (B)  THE TIME AND DATE OF THE COMMUNICATION OF SUCH INFORMATION TO THE
   21  DESIGNATED AGENCY, AND THE TIME AND DATE OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  OF  RECEIPT
   22  BY THE DESIGNATED AGENCY OF SUCH INFORMATION;
   23    (C) ALL INFORMATION IN THE WRITTEN REPORT REQUIRED BY THIS TITLE;
   24    (D)  A  RECORD  OF  THE  FINAL  DISPOSITION  OF  THE REPORT, INCLUDING
   25  SERVICES OFFERED AND SERVICES ACCEPTED;
   26    (E) THE PLAN FOR REHABILITATIVE TREATMENT;
   27    (F) NAMES AND IDENTIFYING DATA, DATES AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF ANY  PERSON
   28  REQUESTING OR RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM THE REGISTRY; AND
   29    (G) ANY OTHER INFORMATION THE DIRECTOR DEEMS WILL FURTHER THE PURPOSES
   30  AND INTENT OF THIS TITLE.
   31    S  402. DISPOSITION OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE REGISTRY. 1. THE DIREC-
   32  TOR SHALL ESTABLISH IN  THE  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  TO  IMPLEMENT  THE
   33  REQUIREMENTS  OF  THIS SECTION CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A REPORT
   34  COULD REASONABLY CONSTITUTE A REPORT OF ABUSE OF A SENIOR. THE INABILITY
   35  OF A PERSON MAKING A REPORT TO IDENTIFY THE  ALLEGED  PERPETRATOR  SHALL
   36  NOT  CONSTITUTE A SUFFICIENT REASON FOR THE REGISTRY TO REJECT THE ALLE-
   37  GATION OR TO FAIL TO TRANSMIT THE ALLEGATION FOR INVESTIGATION.
   38    2. WHEN AN  ALLEGATION  REPORTED  TO  THE  REGISTRY  COULD  REASONABLY
   39  CONSTITUTE A REPORT OF ABUSE OF A SENIOR, SUCH ALLEGATION SHALL BE TRAN-
   40  SMITTED  BY  THE  FASTEST MEANS POSSIBLE BY THE OFFICE TO THE DESIGNATED
   41  AGENCY FOR INVESTIGATION.
   42    3. IF THE RECORDS INDICATE A PREVIOUS REPORT CONCERNING A  SUBJECT  OF
   43  THE  REPORT, OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT OR OTHER PERTINENT INFOR-
   44  MATION, THE DESIGNATED AGENCY SHALL BE NOTIFIED OF THE FACT.
   45    4. IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER A REPORT REASONABLY CONSTITUTES A REPORT OF
   46  ABUSE OF A SENIOR,
   47    (A) IF A REPORT COULD REASONABLY CONSTITUTE A CRIME OR  COULD  REASON-
   48  ABLY  BE  CONSTRUED AS POSING AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO THE SENIOR'S HEALTH
   49  OR SAFETY, THE OFFICE SHALL CONVEY BY THE MOST EXPEDIENT MEANS AVAILABLE
   50  THE INFORMATION TO THE  APPROPRIATE  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  AGENCY,  DISTRICT
   51  ATTORNEY  OR OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIAL EMPOWERED TO PROVIDE NECESSARY AID OR
   52  ASSISTANCE.
   53    (B) IF A REPORT COULD REASONABLY CONSTITUTE INSTITUTIONAL NEGLECT OF A
   54  SENIOR IN RESIDENTIAL CARE, THE OFFICE SHALL CONVEY BY THE MOST  EXPEDI-
   55  ENT  MEANS AVAILABLE THE INFORMATION TO THE STATE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR
   56  THE OPERATION OR SUPERVISION OF THE RESIDENTIAL FACILITY OR PROGRAM AND,
       A. 6555                             5
    1  IN THE CASE OF A FACILITY OPERATED OR CERTIFIED  BY  AN  OFFICE  OF  THE
    2  DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HYGIENE, TO THE STATE COMMISSION ON QUALITY OF CARE
    3  FOR THE MENTALLY DISABLED, FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION.
    4    5.  REPORTS  AND  RECORDS  MADE  PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE, INCLUDING ANY
    5  PREVIOUS REPORT CONCERNING A SUBJECT OF THE REPORT, OTHER PERSONS  NAMED
    6  IN  THE  REPORT  OR  OTHER  PERTINENT INFORMATION, INVOLVING SENIORS WHO
    7  RESIDE IN A FACILITY LICENSED OR OPERATED BY THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH
    8  OR THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, SHALL BE TRAN-
    9  SMITTED IMMEDIATELY BY THE REGISTRY TO THE COMMISSION ON QUALITY OF CARE
   10  FOR THE MENTALLY DISABLED, WHICH SHALL COMMENCE AN APPROPRIATE  INVESTI-
   11  GATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW.
   12    S 403. AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS. 1. REPORTS MADE PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE
   13  AS  WELL AS ANY OTHER INFORMATION OBTAINED, INCLUDING REPORTS WRITTEN OR
   14  PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN CONCERNING SUCH REPORTS WHICH ARE IN THE POSSESSION OF
   15  THE OFFICE, DESIGNATED AGENCIES, OR THE COMMISSION ON  QUALITY  OF  CARE
   16  FOR  THE MENTALLY DISABLED, SHALL BE CONFIDENTIAL AND SHALL ONLY BE MADE
   17  AVAILABLE TO:
   18    (A) A PHYSICIAN WHO, EXAMINING OR HAVING EXAMINED A SENIOR, REASONABLY
   19  SUSPECTS THAT SUCH SENIOR MAY BE AN ABUSED OR MALTREATED SENIOR;
   20    (B) A PERSON AUTHORIZED TO PLACE A SENIOR IN PROTECTIVE  CUSTODY  WHEN
   21  SUCH  PERSON  HAS  BEFORE  HIM OR HER A SENIOR WHOM HE OR SHE REASONABLY
   22  SUSPECTS MAY BE AN ABUSED OR MALTREATED SENIOR AND SUCH PERSON  REQUIRES
   23  THE  INFORMATION  TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO PLACE THE SENIOR IN PROTECTIVE
   24  CUSTODY;
   25    (C) A DULY AUTHORIZED AGENCY HAVING RESPONSIBILITY  FOR  THE  CARE  OR
   26  SUPERVISION OF A SENIOR WHO IS REPORTED TO THE REGISTRY;
   27    (D)  A  PERSON WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT OR OTHER PERSONS NAMED
   28  IN THE REPORT;
   29    (E) A COURT, UPON A FINDING THAT  THE  INFORMATION  IS  NECESSARY  FOR
   30  DETERMINATION OF AN ISSUE BEFORE THE COURT;
   31    (F) A GRAND JURY, UPON A FINDING THAT THE INFORMATION IS NECESSARY FOR
   32  DETERMINATION OF CHARGES BEFORE THE GRAND JURY; AND
   33    (G) AN APPROPRIATE STATE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTEC-
   34  TIVE LEGISLATION OF SENIORS.
   35    2.  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  OF THE DIRECTOR SHALL ESTABLISH A LIST OF
   36  SUCH OTHER PERSONS, AGENCIES, INVESTIGATIVE BODIES, AND  AUDITING  ENTI-
   37  TIES  THAT  MAY  BE  GIVEN  ACCESS  TO THE REGISTRY, AND SHALL ESTABLISH
   38  REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFIDENTIALITY, LIMITATIONS ON RE-DISCLOSURE OF INFOR-
   39  MATION, AND SUCH OTHER REQUIREMENTS  AND  LIMITATIONS  AS  THE  DIRECTOR
   40  SHALL DEEM NECESSARY.
   41    3.  ANY  INCONSISTENT  PROVISION  OF  ANY  OTHER  LAW  TO THE CONTRARY
   42  NOTWITHSTANDING, THE DIRECTOR MAY WITHHOLD ALL OR PART OF  ANY  INFORMA-
   43  TION WHICH HE OR SHE IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO PERSONS OR AGEN-
   44  CIES IDENTIFIED IN THIS SECTION OR IDENTIFIED BY RULE AND REGULATION, IF
   45  THE  DIRECTOR  DETERMINES  THAT  SUCH  INFORMATION IS NOT RELATED TO THE
   46  PURPOSES FOR WHICH SUCH INFORMATION IS REQUESTED OR THAT DISCLOSURE WILL
   47  BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE SENIOR NAMED IN THE REPORT.
   48    4. IF A PERSON OR AGENCY IDENTIFIED IN THIS SECTION, OR  BY  RULE  AND
   49  REGULATION  OF  THE DIRECTOR, AS ONE TO WHOM ACCESS TO REPORTS AND OTHER
   50  INFORMATION SHALL BE GRANTED, IS DENIED  SUCH  ACCESS,  SUCH  PERSON  OR
   51  AGENCY  MAY  BRING  A  PROCEEDING  FOR REVIEW OF SUCH DENIAL PURSUANT TO
   52  ARTICLE SEVENTY-EIGHT OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
   53    5. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE  SHALL  BE  CONSTRUED  TO  PERMIT
   54  RELEASE,  DISCLOSURE  OR  IDENTIFICATION  OF  THE  NAMES  OR IDENTIFYING
   55  DESCRIPTIONS OF PERSONS WHO REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT OF  A
   56  SENIOR TO THE REGISTRY OR SUCH PERSON'S PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OR WITH WHOM
       A. 6555                             6
    1  THEY  HAVE  AN  ASSOCIATION  OTHER THAN EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT SUCH PERSON'S
    2  WRITTEN PERMISSION EXCEPT TO SUCH PERSONS, OFFICIALS,  AND  AGENCIES  AS
    3  THE DIRECTOR DETERMINES IN RULE AND REGULATION.
    4    S  404.  RELEASE  OF INFORMATION. 1. INFORMATION CONCERNING REPORTS OR
    5  INVESTIGATIONS MAY BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC ONLY BY PERSONS  DESIGNATED
    6  IN  THE  RULES  AND REGULATIONS OF THE DIRECTOR TO RELEASE SUCH INFORMA-
    7  TION.  INFORMATION THAT MAY BE PROVIDED SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE  FOLLOW-
    8  ING:
    9    (A) IF A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IS MADE PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF AN
   10  INVESTIGATION  OF A REPORT, THE RELEASED INFORMATION SHALL BE LIMITED TO
   11  WHETHER THE REPORT IS "INDICATED", "UNFOUNDED" OR "UNDER INVESTIGATION",
   12  AS THE CASE MAY BE.
   13    (B) IF THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IS MADE AFTER THE COMPLETION OF  AN
   14  INVESTIGATION  OF A REPORT, THE RELEASED INFORMATION SHALL BE LIMITED TO
   15  WHETHER THE REPORT IS "INDICATED" OR "UNFOUNDED," AS THE CASE MAY BE.
   16    2. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCONSISTENT PROVISION OF LAW TO THE  CONTRARY,
   17  THE  DIRECTOR  OR  A DESIGNATED AGENCY DIRECTOR MAY DISCLOSE INFORMATION
   18  REGARDING THE ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT OF A SENIOR AS  SET  FORTH  IN  THIS
   19  SECTION,  AND THE INVESTIGATION THEREOF AND ANY SERVICES RELATED THERETO
   20  IF HE OR SHE DETERMINES THAT SUCH DISCLOSURE SHALL NOT  BE  CONTRARY  TO
   21  THE  BEST  INTERESTS OF THE SENIOR, AND ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS
   22  ARE PRESENT:
   23    (A) THE SUBJECT OF THE  REPORT  HAS  BEEN  CHARGED  IN  AN  ACCUSATORY
   24  INSTRUMENT WITH COMMITTING A CRIME RELATED TO A REPORT MAINTAINED IN THE
   25  REGISTRY; OR
   26    (B)  THE  INVESTIGATION OF THE ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT BY THE DESIGNATED
   27  AGENCY OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES BY SUCH SERVICE  HAS  BEEN  PUBLICLY
   28  DISCLOSED  IN  A  REPORT REQUIRED TO BE DISCLOSED IN THE COURSE OF THEIR
   29  OFFICIAL DUTIES, BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY  OR  OFFICIAL,  A  DISTRICT
   30  ATTORNEY,  ANY  OTHER STATE OR LOCAL INVESTIGATIVE AGENCY OR OFFICIAL OR
   31  BY JUDGE OF THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM; OR
   32    (C) THERE HAS BEEN A PRIOR KNOWING, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BY AN
   33  INDIVIDUAL CONCERNING A REPORT OF ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT  IN  WHICH  SUCH
   34  INDIVIDUAL IS NAMED AS THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT; OR
   35    (D)  THE SENIOR IN THE REPORT HAS DIED OR THE REPORT INVOLVES THE NEAR
   36  FATALITY OF A SENIOR. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "NEAR  FATALITY"
   37  MEANS  AN ACT THAT RESULTS IN THE SENIOR BEING PLACED, AS CERTIFIED BY A
   38  PHYSICIAN, IN SERIOUS OR CRITICAL CONDITION.
   39    3. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION MAY  BE
   40  DISCLOSED:
   41    (A) THE NAME OF THE ABUSED OR MALTREATED SENIOR;
   42    (B)  THE  DETERMINATION  BY  THE DESIGNATED AGENCY OR THE STATE AGENCY
   43  WHICH INVESTIGATED THE REPORT AND THE FINDINGS OF THE APPLICABLE  INVES-
   44  TIGATING AGENCY UPON WHICH SUCH DETERMINATION WAS BASED;
   45    (C) IDENTIFICATION OF SERVICES PROVIDED OR ACTIONS TAKEN REGARDING THE
   46  SENIOR NAMED IN THE REPORT AS A RESULT OF ANY SUCH REPORT OR REPORTS;
   47    (D)  WHETHER ANY REPORT OF ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT REGARDING SUCH SENIOR
   48  HAS BEEN "INDICATED" AS MAINTAINED BY THE REGISTRY;
   49    (E) ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE DESIGNATED AGENCY IN RESPONSE TO  REPORTS  OF
   50  ABUSE  OR  MALTREATMENT  TO  THE  REGISTRY  INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
   51  ACTIONS TAKEN AFTER EACH AND EVERY REPORT OF ABUSE  OR  MALTREATMENT  OF
   52  SUCH SENIOR AND THE DATES OF SUCH REPORTS;
   53    (F)  WHETHER  THE SENIOR HAS RECEIVED CARE OR SERVICES FROM THE DESIG-
   54  NATED AGENCY PRIOR TO EACH AND EVERY REPORT OF ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT  OF
   55  SUCH SENIOR; AND
       A. 6555                             7
    1    (G)  ANY EXTRAORDINARY OR PERTINENT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE CIRCUM-
    2  STANCES OF THE ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT OF THE SENIOR AND THE INVESTIGATION
    3  THEREOF, WHERE THE DIRECTOR DETERMINES  SUCH  DISCLOSURE  IS  CONSISTENT
    4  WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
    5    4. INFORMATION MAY BE DISCLOSED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AS FOLLOWS:
    6    (A)  INFORMATION RELEASED PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF THE INVESTIGATION
    7  OF A REPORT SHALL BE LIMITED TO A STATEMENT  THAT  A  REPORT  IS  "UNDER
    8  INVESTIGATION";
    9    (B)  WHEN  THERE HAS BEEN A PRIOR DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVI-
   10  SION, INFORMATION RELEASED IN A  CASE  IN  WHICH  THE  REPORT  HAS  BEEN
   11  UNFOUNDED  SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE STATEMENT THAT "THE INVESTIGATION HAS
   12  BEEN COMPLETED, AND THE REPORT HAS BEEN UNFOUNDED";
   13    (C) IF THE  REPORT  HAS  BEEN  "INDICATED"  THEN  INFORMATION  MAY  BE
   14  RELEASED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
   15    5.  ANY  DISCLOSURE  OF INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL NOT
   16  IDENTIFY OR PROVIDE AN IDENTIFYING DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  SOURCE  OF  THE
   17  REPORT,  AND SHALL NOT IDENTIFY THE NAME OF THE PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSI-
   18  BLE FOR THE SENIOR OR ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR'S HOUSEHOLD, OTHER
   19  THAN THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT.
   20    6. IN DETERMINING WHETHER DISCLOSURE WILL  BE  CONTRARY  TO  THE  BEST
   21  INTERESTS  OF  THE  SENIOR, THE DIRECTOR OR A DESIGNATED AGENCY DIRECTOR
   22  SHALL CONSIDER THE INTEREST IN PRIVACY OF THE SENIOR  AND  THE  SENIOR'S
   23  FAMILY  AND  THE EFFECTS WHICH DISCLOSURE MAY HAVE ON EFFORTS TO PROVIDE
   24  SERVICES.
   25    7. WHENEVER A DISCLOSURE OF  INFORMATION  IS  MADE  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
   26  SECTION,  THE  DESIGNATED AGENCY DIRECTOR SHALL MAKE A WRITTEN STATEMENT
   27  PRIOR TO DISCLOSING SUCH INFORMATION TO THE CHIEF COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFI-
   28  CER WHERE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED SETTING FORTH THE CRITERIA UPON WHICH HE
   29  OR SHE IS BASING SUCH DISCLOSURE.
   30    8. EXCEPT AS IT  APPLIES  DIRECTLY  TO  THE  CAUSE  OF  THE  ABUSE  OR
   31  MALTREATMENT  OF  THE SENIOR, NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO
   32  AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OR DISCLOSURE OF THE SUBSTANCE OR CONTENT  OF  ANY
   33  PSYCHOLOGICAL,  PSYCHIATRIC,  THERAPEUTIC,  CLINICAL OR MEDICAL REPORTS,
   34  EVALUATIONS OR LIKE MATERIALS OR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO  SUCH  SENIOR
   35  OR  THE  SENIOR'S  FAMILY.  PRIOR  TO  THE  RELEASE OR DISCLOSURE OF ANY
   36  PSYCHOLOGICAL, PSYCHIATRIC OR THERAPEUTIC REPORTS, EVALUATIONS  OR  LIKE
   37  MATERIALS  OR INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION, THE LOCAL SOCIAL
   38  SERVICES DIRECTOR SHALL CONSULT WITH THE PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT  OF
   39  MENTAL HYGIENE.
   40    S  405.  UNFOUNDED  REPORTS.  1.  UNLESS  AN INVESTIGATION OF A REPORT
   41  CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THIS  TITLE  DETERMINES  THAT  THERE  IS  CREDIBLE
   42  EVIDENCE OF THE ALLEGED ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT, ALL INFORMATION IDENTIFY-
   43  ING  THE  SUBJECTS  OF  THE REPORT AND OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT
   44  SHALL BE LEGALLY SEALED BY THE REGISTRY AND ANY DESIGNATED  AGENCIES  OR
   45  THE  STATE AGENCY WHICH INVESTIGATED THE REPORT, AND THE REPORT SHALL BE
   46  DEEMED "UNFOUNDED". SUCH UNFOUNDED REPORTS MAY ONLY BE UNSEALED AND MADE
   47  AVAILABLE TO SUCH PERSONS AND ENTITIES AS SHALL BE  ESTABLISHED  BY  THE
   48  DIRECTOR  IN  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  FOR  SUCH PURPOSES AS REVIEW OF A
   49  FATALITY OR INVESTIGATION OF A SUBSEQUENT REPORT OF SUSPECTED  ABUSE  OR
   50  MALTREATMENT INVOLVING A SUBJECT OF THE UNFOUNDED REPORT. SUCH UNFOUNDED
   51  REPORTS  MAY  BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE FOLLOWING PERSONS AND ENTITIES: A
   52  SENIOR NAMED IN THE UNFOUNDED REPORT; OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT;
   53  THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT; A DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  OR  A  STATE  OR  LOCAL
   54  POLICE  OFFICER WHEN SUCH OFFICIAL VERIFIES THAT THE REPORT IS NECESSARY
   55  TO CONDUCT AN ACTIVE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OR FOR PROSECUTION OF  ELDER
   56  ABUSE;  OR  OTHER  PERSONS IN KEEPING WITH THE SPIRIT AND INTENT OF THIS
       A. 6555                             8
    1  SECTION AS SHALL BE DETERMINED IN  THE  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  OF  THE
    2  DIRECTOR REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION.
    3    2. PERSONS GIVEN ACCESS TO SUCH UNFOUNDED REPORTS SHALL NOT REDISCLOSE
    4  SUCH REPORTS EXCEPT AS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT APPROPRIATE INVESTIGATION OR
    5  PROSECUTION  AND  SHALL  REQUEST  OF  THE  COURT THAT ANY COPIES OF SUCH
    6  REPORTS PRODUCED IN ANY COURT PROCEEDINGS  BE  REDACTED  TO  REMOVE  THE
    7  NAMES OF THE SUBJECTS AND OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORTS OR THAT THE
    8  COURT  ISSUE  AN  ORDER  PROTECTING  THE NAMES OF THE SUBJECTS AND OTHER
    9  PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORTS FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.
   10    3. AN UNFOUNDED REPORT SHALL NOT BE ADMISSIBLE IN A JUDICIAL OR ADMIN-
   11  ISTRATIVE PROCEEDING OR ACTION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, AN  UNFOUNDED  REPORT
   12  MAY BE INTRODUCED INTO EVIDENCE:
   13    (A) BY THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT WHERE SUCH SUBJECT IS A RESPONDENT IN
   14  A  JUDICIAL  PROCEEDING PERTAINING TO THE ALLEGATION MADE IN THE REPORT,
   15  OR IS A PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER IN A CIVIL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ALLEGING
   16  THE FALSE REPORTING OF SENIOR ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT; OR
   17    (B) IN A CRIMINAL COURT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROSECUTING A CRIME AGAINST
   18  A SENIOR. LEGALLY SEALED UNFOUNDED REPORTS SHALL BE EXPUNGED  TEN  YEARS
   19  AFTER  THE  RECEIPT  OF  THE REPORT. WHENEVER THE OFFICE DETERMINES THAT
   20  THERE IS SOME CREDIBLE EVIDENCE OF ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT AS A RESULT  OF
   21  AN  INVESTIGATION  OF  A REPORT CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THE MENTAL HYGIENE
   22  LAW, THE OFFICE SHALL NOTIFY THE COMMISSION ON QUALITY OF CARE  FOR  THE
   23  MENTALLY DISABLED.
   24    4.  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE OFFICE MAY IN ITS
   25  DISCRETION GRANT A REQUEST TO EXPUNGE AN UNFOUNDED REPORT WHERE: (A) THE
   26  SOURCE OF THE REPORT WAS CONVICTED OF A VIOLATION OF THE  PENAL  LAW  IN
   27  REGARD  TO  SUCH REPORT; OR (B) THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT PRESENTS CLEAR
   28  AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT AFFIRMATIVELY  REFUTES  THE  ALLEGATION  OF
   29  ABUSE  OR  MALTREATMENT;  PROVIDED HOWEVER, THAT THE ABSENCE OF CREDIBLE
   30  EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE ALLEGATION OF ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT SHALL NOT BE
   31  THE SOLE BASIS TO EXPUNGE THE REPORT.  NOTHING  IN  THIS  SECTION  SHALL
   32  REQUIRE  THE  OFFICE  TO  CONDUCT  AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING IN DECIDING
   33  WHETHER TO EXPUNGE A REPORT. THE OFFICE  SHALL  MAKE  ITS  DETERMINATION
   34  UPON  REVIEWING  THE  WRITTEN  EVIDENCE  SUBMITTED BY THE SUBJECT OF THE
   35  REPORT AND ANY RECORDS OR INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE STATE  OR  LOCAL
   36  AGENCY WHICH INVESTIGATED THE ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT.
   37    5. IN ANY CASE AND AT ANY TIME, THE DIRECTOR MAY AMEND ANY RECORD UPON
   38  GOOD  CAUSE  SHOWN  AND  NOTICE  TO THE SUBJECTS OF THE REPORT AND OTHER
   39  PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT.
   40    6. AT ANY TIME, A SUBJECT OF A REPORT AND OTHER PERSONS NAMED  IN  THE
   41  REPORT MAY RECEIVE, UPON REQUEST, A COPY OF ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN
   42  THE  REGISTRY;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  THAT  THE DIRECTOR IS AUTHORIZED TO
   43  PROHIBIT THE RELEASE OF DATA THAT WOULD IDENTIFY THE PERSON WHO MADE THE
   44  REPORT OR WHO COOPERATED IN A SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION  OR  THE  AGENCY,
   45  INSTITUTION,  ORGANIZATION, PROGRAM OR OTHER ENTITY WHERE SUCH PERSON IS
   46  EMPLOYED OR WITH WHICH HE OR SHE IS ASSOCIATED, WHICH HE OR SHE  REASON-
   47  ABLY  FINDS  WILL  BE  DETRIMENTAL  TO  THE  SAFETY OR INTERESTS OF SUCH
   48  PERSON.
   49    7. AT ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE COMPLETION OF THE  INVESTIGATION  BUT
   50  IN  NO  EVENT  LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT IS
   51  NOTIFIED THAT THE REPORT IS INDICATED THE SUBJECT MAY REQUEST THE DIREC-
   52  TOR TO AMEND THE RECORD OF THE REPORT. IF THE DIRECTOR  DOES  NOT  AMEND
   53  THE REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH REQUEST WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF RECEIV-
   54  ING  THE  REQUEST,  THE  SUBJECT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO A FAIR HEARING,
   55  CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBDIVISION, TO DETERMINE WHETHER  THE
   56  RECORD  OF  THE  REPORT IN THE REGISTRY SHOULD BE AMENDED ON THE GROUNDS
       A. 6555                             9
    1  THAT IT IS INACCURATE OR IT IS BEING MAINTAINED IN A MANNER INCONSISTENT
    2  WITH THIS TITLE.
    3    (A)  IF  IT  IS  DETERMINED  AFTER  REVIEW  THAT  THERE IS NO CREDIBLE
    4  EVIDENCE IN THE RECORD TO FIND THAT THE SUBJECT COMMITTED AN ACT OR ACTS
    5  OF SENIOR ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT, THE OFFICE SHALL AMEND  THE  RECORD  TO
    6  INDICATE  THAT  THE  REPORT IS "UNFOUNDED" AND NOTIFY THE SUBJECT FORTH-
    7  WITH.
    8    (B) IF THE OFFICE DOES NOT AMEND THE RECORD IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  SUCH
    9  REQUEST  AND THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE OFFICE SHALL SCHED-
   10  ULE A FAIR HEARING AND SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE  OF  THE  SCHEDULED  HEARING
   11  DATE TO THE SUBJECT, THE REGISTRY AND, AS APPROPRIATE, TO THE DESIGNATED
   12  AGENCY  OR THE STATE AGENCY WHICH INVESTIGATED THE REPORT. THE BURDEN OF
   13  PROOF IN SUCH A HEARING SHALL BE ON THE DESIGNATED AGENCY OR  THE  STATE
   14  AGENCY WHICH INVESTIGATED THE REPORT, AS THE CASE MAY BE.
   15    (I)  A COURT FINDING OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT AGAINST THE SUBJECT IN REGARD
   16  TO AN ALLEGATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT SHALL  CREATE  AN  IRREBUTTABLE
   17  PRESUMPTION  THAT  SAID  ALLEGATION  IS  SUBSTANTIATED  BY SOME CREDIBLE
   18  EVIDENCE.
   19    (II) IF IT IS DETERMINED AT THE FAIR HEARING THAT THERE IS NO CREDIBLE
   20  EVIDENCE IN THE RECORD TO FIND THAT THE SUBJECT COMMITTED AN ACT OR ACTS
   21  OF ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT OF A SENIOR, THE OFFICE SHALL AMEND THE  RECORD
   22  TO  REFLECT  THAT SUCH A FINDING WAS MADE AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING,
   23  ORDER ANY DESIGNATED AGENCY  OR  STATE  AGENCY  WHICH  INVESTIGATED  THE
   24  REPORT  TO  SIMILARLY  AMEND ITS RECORDS OF THE REPORT, AND SHALL NOTIFY
   25  THE SUBJECT FORTHWITH OF THE DETERMINATION.
   26    (C) THE DIRECTOR OR HIS OR HER  DESIGNATED  AGENT  IS  AUTHORIZED  AND
   27  EMPOWERED  TO  MAKE  ANY APPROPRIATE ORDER RESPECTING THE AMENDMENT OF A
   28  RECORD TO MAKE IT ACCURATE OR CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS  OF  THIS
   29  SECTION.
   30    (D)  SHOULD  THE OFFICE GRANT THE REQUEST OF THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT
   31  PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION EITHER THROUGH AN ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW  OR
   32  FAIR  HEARING  TO AMEND AN INDICATED REPORT TO AN UNFOUNDED REPORT, SUCH
   33  REPORT SHALL BE LEGALLY SEALED AND SHALL BE  RELEASED  AND  EXPUNGED  IN
   34  ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
   35    8.  WRITTEN NOTICE OF ANY EXPUNGEMENT OR AMENDMENT OF ANY RECORD, MADE
   36  PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE, SHALL BE SERVED FORTHWITH UPON EACH  SUBJECT  OF
   37  SUCH  RECORD,  OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT, THE DIRECTOR, AND SUCH
   38  OTHER PERSONS AND AGENCIES THE  DIRECTOR  SHALL  DEEM  APPROPRIATE.  THE
   39  DESIGNATED  AGENCY  OR  THE  STATE AGENCY WHICH INVESTIGATED THE REPORT,
   40  UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH NOTICE, SHALL TAKE THE APPROPRIATE  SIMILAR  ACTION
   41  IN  REGARD TO ITS REGISTRY AND RECORDS AND INFORM, FOR THE SAME PURPOSE,
   42  ANY OTHER AGENCY WHICH RECEIVED SUCH RECORD.
   43    S 406. PENALTY FOR UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE. UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE BY
   44  ANY PARTY OF INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE REGISTRY SHALL BE A  CLASS  A
   45  MISDEMEANOR.
   46    S  407. PERSONS REQUIRED TO REPORT SUSPECTED SENIOR ABUSE OR MALTREAT-
   47  MENT. 1. THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT OR CAUSE A  REPORT
   48  TO  BE  MADE  IN  ACCORDANCE WITH THIS TITLE WHEN, WHILE ACTING IN THEIR
   49  PROFESSIONAL OR OFFICIAL CAPACITY, THEY HAVE REASONABLE CAUSE TO SUSPECT
   50  THAT A SENIOR COMING BEFORE THEM IS AN ABUSED SENIOR, OR WHEN THEY  HAVE
   51  REASONABLE  CAUSE TO SUSPECT THAT A SENIOR IS AN ABUSED SENIOR WHERE THE
   52  PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH SENIOR COMES BEFORE THEM AND  STATES
   53  FROM  PERSONAL  KNOWLEDGE  FACTS,  CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH, IF
   54  CORRECT, WOULD RENDER THE SENIOR AN ABUSED SENIOR:
   55    (A) ANY HEALTH CARE WORKER, INCLUDING ANY PHYSICIAN, PHYSICIAN ASSIST-
   56  ANT, SURGEON, MEDICAL  EXAMINER,  CORONER,  DENTIST,  DENTAL  HYGIENIST,
       A. 6555                            10
    1  OSTEOPATH,  OPTOMETRIST,  CHIROPRACTOR,  PODIATRIST,  RESIDENT,  INTERN,
    2  PSYCHOLOGIST, REGISTERED NURSE, EMERGENCY  MEDICAL  TECHNICIAN,  OR  ANY
    3  HOSPITAL  OR  NURSING  HOME PERSONNEL ENGAGED IN THE ADMISSION, EXAMINA-
    4  TION,  CARE  OR TREATMENT OF PERSONS, OR ANY OTHER HEALTH CARE OR HEALTH
    5  SERVICES  PRACTITIONER,  INCLUDING  A  CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  PRACTITIONER,
    6  ACUPUNCTURIST, OR OTHER SUCH PERSON;
    7    (B) ANY SOCIAL WORKER, SOCIAL SERVICES WORKER, DAY CARE CENTER WORKER,
    8  OR ANY PROVIDER OF FAMILY OR GROUP FAMILY DAY CARE;
    9    (C)  ANY  MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL; SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR; ALCO-
   10  HOLISM COUNSELOR;
   11    (D) ANY PERSON, INCLUDING A DIRECTOR, OPERATOR,  EMPLOYEE,  VOLUNTEER,
   12  OR  CONTRACTOR,  IN  A PUBLIC, PRIVATE, OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT FACILITY WHICH
   13  PROVIDES CARE TO ONE OR MORE SENIORS AND WHICH IS LICENSED OR REGISTERED
   14  PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE  PUBLIC  HEALTH  LAW,  OR  THE  SOCIAL
   15  SERVICES LAW;
   16    (E)  ANY PEACE OFFICER, POLICE OFFICER, DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR ASSISTANT
   17  DISTRICT ATTORNEY, INVESTIGATOR EMPLOYED IN THE  OFFICE  OF  A  DISTRICT
   18  ATTORNEY OR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL;
   19    (F)  ANY  BANKER,  FINANCIAL  CONSULTANT,  ATTORNEY, OR PARALEGAL WITH
   20  ACCESS TO A SENIOR'S FINANCIAL RECORDS OR RESOURCES OR  LEGAL  DOCUMENTS
   21  OR WHO POSSESSES POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR SUCH SENIOR.
   22    THE DIRECTOR SHALL FURTHER DEFINE AND ENUMERATE IN REGULATIONS PERSONS
   23  AND  OCCUPATIONS  WHICH  ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT WHEN THEY SUSPECT THAT A
   24  SENIOR HAS BECOME AN ABUSED SENIOR.
   25    2. A PERSON REQUIRED TO REPORT UNDER THIS TITLE IN HIS OR HER CAPACITY
   26  AS A MEMBER OF THE STAFF OF A MEDICAL OR OTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE  INSTI-
   27  TUTION, FACILITY OR AGENCY SHALL ADDITIONALLY AND IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE
   28  PERSON  IN CHARGE OF SUCH INSTITUTION, FACILITY OR AGENCY, OR HIS OR HER
   29  DESIGNATED AGENT, WHO THEN ALSO SHALL BECOME RESPONSIBLE  TO  REPORT  OR
   30  CAUSE  REPORTS TO BE MADE, PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT NOTHING IN THIS SECTION
   31  SHALL REQUIRE MORE THAN ONE REPORT FROM ANY SUCH INSTITUTION OR  AGENCY.
   32  AT  THE  TIME OF MAKING A REPORT, OR AT ANY TIME THEREAFTER, SUCH PERSON
   33  OR OFFICIAL MAY REQUEST THE FINDINGS OF AN INVESTIGATION  MADE  PURSUANT
   34  TO THIS TITLE.
   35    S  408.  ANY  PERSON  PERMITTED  TO REPORT. IN ADDITION TO PERSONS AND
   36  OFFICIALS REQUIRED TO REPORT SUSPECTED SENIOR  ABUSE  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
   37  CHAPTER, ANY PERSON MAY MAKE SUCH A REPORT IF SUCH PERSON HAS REASONABLE
   38  CAUSE TO SUSPECT THAT A SENIOR IS AN ABUSED SENIOR.
   39    S  409. REPORTING PROCEDURE. 1. REPORTS OF SUSPECTED ABUSE MADE PURSU-
   40  ANT TO THIS TITLE SHALL BE MADE IMMEDIATELY BY TELEPHONE, FAX, E-MAIL OR
   41  ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL ON A FORM  SUPPLIED  BY  THE  DIRECTOR.
   42  ORAL REPORTS SHALL BE FOLLOWED BY A REPORT IN WRITING WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT
   43  HOURS AFTER SUCH ORAL REPORT.
   44    2.  WRITTEN  REPORTS  SHALL  BE  MADE IN A MANNER PRESCRIBED BY AND ON
   45  FORMS SUPPLIED BY THE DIRECTOR AND SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING  INFORMA-
   46  TION:
   47    (A) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE SENIOR;
   48    (B) THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OR HER CARE, IF KNOWN;
   49    (C)  THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE CARE FACILITY OR PROGRAM IN WHICH THE
   50  SENIOR RESIDES OR IS RECEIVING CARE;
   51    (D) THE SENIOR'S AGE, SEX AND RACE;
   52    (E) THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF  THE  INJURIES,  ABUSE  OR  MALTREATMENT,
   53  INCLUDING ANY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR INJURIES, ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT;
   54    (F)  THE  NAME  OF THE PERSON OR PERSONS ALLEGED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
   55  CAUSING THE INJURY, ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT, IF KNOWN;
   56    (G) FAMILY COMPOSITION, WHERE APPROPRIATE;
       A. 6555                            11
    1    (H) THE SOURCE OF THE REPORT;
    2    (I) THE PERSON MAKING THE REPORT AND WHERE HE OR SHE CAN BE REACHED;
    3    (J) THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE REPORTING SOURCE, INCLUDING THE TAKING OF
    4  PHOTOGRAPHS  AND  TECHNOLOGICAL SCANS, OR NOTIFYING THE MEDICAL EXAMINER
    5  OR CORONER; AND
    6    (K) ANY  OTHER  INFORMATION  WHICH  THE  DIRECTOR  MAY  BY  REGULATION
    7  REQUIRE,  OR  WHICH THE PERSON MAKING THE REPORT BELIEVES MIGHT BE HELP-
    8  FUL, IN THE FURTHERANCE OF THE INTENT AND PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE.
    9    3. ANY PERSON OR OFFICIAL REQUIRED TO REPORT CASES OF SUSPECTED SENIOR
   10  ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT MAY TAKE OR CAUSE TO BE TAKEN AT  PUBLIC  EXPENSE
   11  PHOTOGRAPHS  OR,  IF MEDICALLY INDICATED, OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL OR IMAGING
   12  SCANS INCLUDING X-RAYS OF THE AREAS OF TRAUMA VISIBLE ON A SENIOR WHO IS
   13  SUBJECT TO A REPORT. ANY SUCH PHOTOGRAPHS OR SCANS TAKEN SHALL  BE  SENT
   14  TO  THE  DESIGNATED AGENCY AT THE TIME THE WRITTEN REPORT IS SENT, OR AS
   15  SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE. A PERSON  REQUIRED  TO  REPORT  UNDER  THIS
   16  TITLE  IN  HIS  OR HER CAPACITY AS A MEMBER OF THE STAFF OF A MEDICAL OR
   17  OTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE INSTITUTION, FACILITY, OR  AGENCY,  SHALL  IMME-
   18  DIATELY NOTIFY THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF SUCH INSTITUTION, SCHOOL, FACILI-
   19  TY  OR  AGENCY,  OR  THE DESIGNATED AGENT OF SUCH PERSON, WHO SHALL THEN
   20  TAKE OR CAUSE TO BE TAKEN AT PUBLIC EXPENSE  COLOR  PHOTOGRAPHS  OR,  IF
   21  MEDICALLY  INDICATED,  OTHER  TECHNOLOGICAL  OR  IMAGING SCANS INCLUDING
   22  X-RAYS, OF THE SENIOR.
   23    4. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS CHAPTER, WRITTEN REPORTS  FROM
   24  PERSONS  OR OFFICIALS REQUIRED BY THIS TITLE TO REPORT SHALL BE ADMISSI-
   25  BLE IN EVIDENCE IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO SENIOR ABUSE OR MALTREAT-
   26  MENT.
   27    5. A PERSON OR OFFICIAL REQUIRED TO REPORT SUSPECTED SENIOR  ABUSE  OR
   28  MALTREATMENT WHO HAS REASONABLE CAUSE TO SUSPECT THAT A SENIOR DIED AS A
   29  RESULT OF ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT SHALL REPORT THE FACT TO THE APPROPRIATE
   30  MEDICAL  EXAMINER  OR  CORONER.  THE  MEDICAL  EXAMINER OR CORONER SHALL
   31  ACCEPT THE REPORT FOR INVESTIGATION AND SHALL REPORT HIS OR HER  FINDING
   32  TO THE POLICE, THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE LOCAL SERVICE, THE
   33  OFFICE,  AND,  IF  THE  INSTITUTION MAKING THE REPORT IS A HOSPITAL, THE
   34  HOSPITAL.
   35    S 410. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY. A  PERSON,  OFFICIAL,  OR  INSTITUTION
   36  PARTICIPATING  IN  GOOD  FAITH IN PROVIDING OF SERVICES PURSUANT TO THIS
   37  TITLE, THE MAKING OF A REPORT, THE TAKING OF PHOTOGRAPHS, THE REMOVAL OR
   38  KEEPING OF A SENIOR PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE, OR THE DISCLOSURE OF  INFOR-
   39  MATION  IN  COMPLIANCE WITH THIS TITLE AND RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMUL-
   40  GATED THEREUNDER, SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM ANY LIABILITY, CIVIL OR CRIMINAL,
   41  THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE RESULT BY REASON OF SUCH ACTIONS. FOR  THE  PURPOSE
   42  OF ANY PROCEEDING, CIVIL OR CRIMINAL, THE GOOD FAITH OF ANY SUCH PERSON,
   43  OFFICIAL,  OR  INSTITUTION  REQUIRED  TO REPORT CASES OF SENIOR ABUSE OR
   44  MALTREATMENT OR PROVIDING A SERVICE PURSUANT  TO  THIS  TITLE  SHALL  BE
   45  PRESUMED,  PROVIDED  SUCH  PERSON, OFFICIAL OR INSTITUTION WAS ACTING IN
   46  DISCHARGE OF THEIR DUTIES AND WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT,  AND
   47  THAT  SUCH LIABILITY DID NOT RESULT FROM THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR GROSS
   48  NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH PERSON, OFFICIAL OR INSTITUTION.
   49    S 411. PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO REPORT. A PERSON, OFFICIAL OR INSTITU-
   50  TION REQUIRED BY THIS TITLE TO REPORT  A  CASE  OF  SUSPECTED  ABUSE  OR
   51  MALTREATMENT OF A SENIOR WHO WILLFULLY FAILS TO DO SO SHALL BE GUILTY OF
   52  A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.
   53    ANY PERSON, OFFICIAL OR INSTITUTION REQUIRED BY THIS CHAPTER TO REPORT
   54  A CASE OF SUSPECTED SENIOR ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT WHO KNOWINGLY AND WILL-
   55  FULLY FAILS TO DO SO SHALL BE CIVILLY LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES PROXIMATELY
   56  CAUSED BY SUCH FAILURE.
       A. 6555                            12
    1    S  412.  ANNUAL  REPORTS.  THE DIRECTOR SHALL REPORT PRIOR TO DECEMBER
    2  FIFTEENTH OF EACH YEAR ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE REGISTRY AND THE VARIOUS
    3  DESIGNATED AGENCIES. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE A FULL STATISTICAL  ANALY-
    4  SIS  OF  THE  REPORTS MADE TO THE REGISTRY TOGETHER WITH A REPORT ON THE
    5  IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THIS  ARTICLE, AN EVALUATION OF SERVICES OFFERED AND
    6  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION TO FULFILL  THE  PURPOSES  OF
    7  THIS  ARTICLE.  SUCH  REPORT  SHALL  INDICATE  THE  NUMBER  OF ABUSE AND
    8  MALTREATMENT REPORTS AND CASES RECEIVED BY THE REGISTRY BY  EACH  DESIG-
    9  NATED  AGENCY IN THE PRECEDING YEAR, THE NUMBER OF SUCH CASES DETERMINED
   10  TO HAVE BEEN INDICATED AND THE NUMBER OF SUCH  CASES  DETERMINED  TO  BE
   11  UNFOUNDED  BY  EACH  DISTRICT  IN THE PRECEDING YEAR, THE NUMBER OF SUCH
   12  CASES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN INDICATED OR UNFOUNDED WITHIN THE TIME  PERIOD
   13  REQUIRED BY THIS CHAPTER BY EACH DESIGNATED AGENCY IN THE PRECEDING YEAR
   14  AND  THE  NUMBER  OF  WORKERS  ASSIGNED  TO THE DESIGNATED AGENCY IN THE
   15  PRECEDING YEAR. THE REPORT SHALL ALSO CONTAIN DATA ON THE PROTECTION  OF
   16  SENIORS  IN  RESIDENTIAL  CARE  FROM  ABUSE  AND MALTREATMENT, INCLUDING
   17  REPORTS RECEIVED, RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS BY TYPES OF  FACILITIES  AND
   18  PROGRAMS, TYPES OF CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN, AS WELL AS EFFORTS UNDERTAK-
   19  EN BY THE OFFICE TO PROVIDE TRAINING PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER.
   20                                   TITLE 2
   21          DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE AND THE COUNCIL
   22  SECTION 420. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE.
   23          421. COUNCIL ON ELDER ABUSE; CREATION AND POWERS.
   24          422. COOPERATION OF OTHER AGENCIES.
   25          423. IMPLEMENTATION.
   26          424. SENIOR  ANTI-VIOLENCE  SERVICES RESPONSIBILITIES AND ORGAN-
   27                 IZATION.
   28          425. DUTIES OF THE SAVS UNIT.
   29          426. LOCAL AND REGIONAL FATALITY REVIEW TEAMS.
   30          427. GRANTS FOR SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECTS.
   31    S 420. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE. THE OFFICE SHALL:
   32    1. ENCOURAGE THE FULLEST DEGREE OF REPORTING OF SUSPECTED SENIOR ABUSE
   33  OR  MALTREATMENT  BY  CONDUCTING  CONTINUING  PUBLICITY  AND   EDUCATION
   34  PROGRAMS FOR PERSONS AND OFFICIALS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT AS WELL AS
   35  OTHER APPROPRIATE PERSONS.
   36    2.  PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON AN ONGOING BASIS, OR AS NEEDED, OR
   37  UPON REQUEST TO DESIGNATED AGENCIES REGARDING CASE  PLANNING,  PROVISION
   38  OF  SERVICES, AND PERFORMANCE OR OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES PURSUANT TO THIS
   39  TITLE.
   40    3. DEVELOP PROTOCOLS AND ISSUE GUIDELINES TO ASSIST  DESIGNATED  AGEN-
   41  CIES IN EVALUATING AND ESTABLISHING INVESTIGATIVE PRIORITIES FOR REPORTS
   42  DESCRIBING  SITUATIONS  OR  EVENTS  WHICH  MAY  POSE A CLEAR AND PRESENT
   43  DANGER TO THE LIFE, HEALTH OR SAFETY OF A SENIOR  AND/OR  WHICH  REQUIRE
   44  IMMEDIATE,  PERSONAL  CONTACT  BETWEEN  THE  DESIGNATED  AGENCY  AND THE
   45  SUBJECT OF THE REPORT, THE SUBJECT'S FAMILY, OR OTHER PERSONS  NAMED  IN
   46  THE REPORT.
   47    4.  ISSUE  GUIDELINES TO ASSIST DESIGNATED AGENCIES IN THE INTERPRETA-
   48  TION AND ASSESSMENT OF REPORTS OF ABUSE AND  MALTREATMENT  MADE  TO  THE
   49  REGISTRY,  INCLUDING  INFORMATION,  STANDARDS AND CRITERIA FOR THE IDEN-
   50  TIFICATION OF  CREDIBLE  EVIDENCE  OF  ALLEGED  ABUSE  AND  MALTREATMENT
   51  REQUIRED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A REPORT MAY BE INDICATED.
   52    5.  SET  FORTH REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PERFORMANCE BY DESIGNATED AGENCIES
   53  OF THE DUTIES  AND  POWERS  IMPOSED  AND  CONFERRED  UPON  THEM  BY  THE
   54  PROVISIONS  OF THIS TITLE, INCLUDING UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INVES-
       A. 6555                            13
    1  TIGATION OF REPORTS OF  ABUSE  OR  MALTREATMENT,  STANDARDS  FOR  INTER-
    2  VENTION, CRITERIA FOR CASE CLOSINGS, CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING WHETHER TO
    3  INITIATE  A  PROCEEDING,  AND  CRITERIA FOR THE FORMULATION OF TREATMENT
    4  PLANS AND FOR THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES.
    5    6.  SET  FORTH  TRAINING REQUIREMENTS WHICH SHALL SPECIFY, AMONG OTHER
    6  THINGS, THAT ALL APPROPRIATE PERSONS HIRED BY A DESIGNATED AGENCY  SHALL
    7  HAVE  SATISFACTORILY  COMPLETED  WITHIN  THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THEIR
    8  EMPLOYMENT A COURSE APPROVED BY THE OFFICE IN THE PRINCIPLES  AND  TECH-
    9  NIQUES OF INVESTIGATIONS, RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER INVESTIGATIVE BODIES,
   10  LEGAL  ISSUES,  AND  METHODS  OF  REMEDIATION,  DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND
   11  PREVENTION.
   12    7. TAKE ALL REASONABLE AND NECESSARY ACTIONS TO ASSURE THAT THE DESIG-
   13  NATED AGENCIES ARE KEPT APPRISED ON A CURRENT BASIS OF THE  LAWS,  REGU-
   14  LATIONS AND POLICIES OF THE OFFICE CONCERNING SENIOR ABUSE AND MALTREAT-
   15  MENT.
   16    8. MONITOR AND SUPERVISE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LOCAL SERVICES.
   17    S  421. COUNCIL ON ELDER ABUSE; CREATION AND POWERS. 1. THE COUNCIL ON
   18  ELDER ABUSE IS HEREBY CREATED WHOSE  PURPOSE  SHALL  BE  TO  ADVISE  AND
   19  CONSULT WITH THE DIRECTOR ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES
   20  TO COMBAT ELDER ABUSE AS AUTHORIZED OR REQUIRED BY THIS TITLE. THE COUN-
   21  CIL SHALL HAVE POWER BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF ITS MEMBERS TO
   22  ESTABLISH, AND FROM TIME TO TIME, AMEND AND REPEAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
   23  REQUIRED  TO  BE PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
   24  BY THE DIRECTOR.
   25    2. THE COUNCIL SHALL CONSIST  OF  FIFTEEN  PERSONS  APPOINTED  BY  THE
   26  GOVERNOR  BY AND WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE. FOUR MEMBERS
   27  SHALL BE APPOINTED ON RECOMMENDATION OF THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT  OF  THE
   28  SENATE,  AND  FOUR ON RECOMMENDATION OF THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY. THE
   29  GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT A CHAIRPERSON AND A VICE-CHAIRPERSON AS HE OR SHE
   30  DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
   31    3. MEMBERSHIP ON THE  COUNCIL  SHALL  REFLECT  THE  DIVERSITY  OF  THE
   32  STATE'S POPULATION INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE VARIOUS GEOGRAPHIC
   33  AREAS OF THE STATE. EACH APPOINTEE SHALL AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT HAVE
   34  HAD  AT  LEAST FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF ELDER ABUSE, IN LAW
   35  ENFORCEMENT, THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE PROVISION OF  SERVICES,  MEDICINE,
   36  ADVOCACY,  OR  OTHER  SIMILAR  FIELD THAT ASSURES THAT THE APPOINTEE HAS
   37  RECOGNIZED EXPERTISE IN THE SUBJECT AREA.
   38    4. EACH APPOINTEE SHALL SERVE A TERM OF FOUR YEARS, PROVIDED  THAT  OF
   39  MEMBERS  FIRST  APPOINTED, EIGHT SHALL SERVE FOR TERMS OF TWO YEARS, AND
   40  THE REMAINDER FOR TERMS OF FOUR YEARS, RESPECTIVELY, FROM JANUARY  FIRST
   41  NEXT  SUCCEEDING THEIR APPOINTMENT. ANY VACANCY OCCURRING OTHERWISE THAN
   42  BY EXPIRATION OF TERM SHALL BE FILLED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE ORIGINAL
   43  APPOINTMENT FOR THE BALANCE OF THE UNEXPIRED TERM. MEMBERS OF THE  COUN-
   44  CIL  SHALL  CONTINUE  IN OFFICE UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE APPOINTED AND
   45  SHALL HAVE QUALIFIED.
   46    5. THE COUNCIL MAY EMPLOY EITHER DIRECTLY OR BY  CONTRACTUAL  ARRANGE-
   47  MENT  SUCH  PERSONNEL  AS IT SHALL DEEM NECESSARY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF
   48  ITS FUNCTIONS, WITHIN AMOUNTS MADE AVAILABLE BY APPROPRIATION  THEREFOR.
   49  IN  ADDITION,  THE  DIRECTOR,  ON  HIS OR HER INITIATIVE AND THROUGH THE
   50  POWERS HEREBY PROVIDED HIM OR HER, MAY PROVIDE THE COUNCIL  WITH  UP  TO
   51  TWO LOANED OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES FROM THE OFFICE, ALONG WITH SUCH ADMIN-
   52  ISTRATIVE-SECRETARIAL SUPPORT STAFF AS SHALL BE REQUIRED, THE DUTIES AND
   53  WORK  OF WHOM ARE HEREBY DECLARED TO BE AN ESSENTIAL STATE PURPOSE. SUCH
   54  LOANED EMPLOYEES SHALL SUFFER NO DIMINUTION  OF  THEIR  COMPENSATION  OR
   55  BENEFITS  AS A RESULT OF SUCH ASSIGNMENT, PROVIDED THAT NO SUCH TRANSFER
   56  SHALL BE MADE EXCEPT WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR  OF  THE  BUDGET,
       A. 6555                            14
    1  AND  IN  COMPLIANCE  WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE
    2  COMMISSION OF THE STATE.
    3    6. MEMBERS SHALL RECEIVE NO SALARY OR OTHER COMPENSATION, BUT SHALL BE
    4  ENTITLED  TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN
    5  THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES. ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS  OR  ANY
    6  OTHER LAW TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING, NO OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE
    7  STATE,  OR  OF  ANY  CIVIL  DIVISION  THEREOF,  SHALL  BE DEEMED TO HAVE
    8  FORFEITED OR SHALL FORFEIT HIS OR HER OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT OR ANY  BENE-
    9  FITS  PROVIDED UNDER THE RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY LAW BY REASON OF
   10  ACCEPTANCE OF MEMBERSHIP ON THE COUNCIL ON ELDER ABUSE, PROVIDED, HOWEV-
   11  ER, THAT A MEMBER WHO HOLDS SUCH OTHER PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT SHALL
   12  BE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES  INCURRED
   13  IN  THE  PERFORMANCE  OF  SUCH  SERVICES BUT SHALL RECEIVE NO ADDITIONAL
   14  COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES RENDERED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
   15    7. MEMBERS MAY ENGAGE IN PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT, OR  IN  A  PROFESSION  OR
   16  BUSINESS, SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS CONTAINED IN SECTIONS SEVENTY-THREE
   17  AND  SEVENTY-FOUR OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW. THE COUNCIL ON ELDER ABUSE
   18  SHALL, FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTIONS SEVENTY-THREE  AND  SEVENTY-FOUR  OF
   19  THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW, BE A "STATE AGENCY," AND ITS DIRECTORS SHALL BE
   20  "OFFICERS" OF THE AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH SECTIONS.
   21    8.  EIGHT  MEMBERS  OF  THE  COUNCIL ON ELDER ABUSE SHALL CONSTITUTE A
   22  QUORUM FOR TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS OR THE EXERCISE OF ANY POWER  OF  THE
   23  COUNCIL,  AND  THE  COUNCIL  SHALL  HAVE POWER TO ACT BY MAJORITY OF THE
   24  MEMBERS PRESENT AT ANY MEETING AT WHICH A QUORUM IS IN ATTENDANCE. NOTH-
   25  ING CONTAINED IN THIS TITLE SHALL PREVENT THE  MEMBERS  FROM  CONDUCTING
   26  ITS  MEETINGS  BY  TELE-VIDEO OR TELECONFERENCE, OR BY TELEPHONE CONFER-
   27  ENCE, PROVIDED THAT A QUORUM SHALL BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT.
   28    9. THE COUNCIL SHALL MEET AT LEAST FOUR TIMES  EACH  YEAR,  AND  ADDI-
   29  TIONALLY AS FREQUENTLY AS ITS BUSINESS MAY REQUIRE.
   30    10. THE COUNCIL SHALL ENACT AND FROM TIME TO TIME MAY AMEND BY-LAWS IN
   31  RELATION TO ITS MEETINGS AND THE TRANSACTION OF ITS BUSINESS.
   32    11.  NO  CIVIL ACTION SHALL BE BROUGHT IN ANY COURT AGAINST ANY MEMBER
   33  OF THE COUNCIL FOR ANY ACT DONE, FAILURE TO ACT, OR STATEMENT OR OPINION
   34  MADE, WHILE DISCHARGING DUTIES AS A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL, AND NO MEMBER
   35  SHALL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES IN ANY ACTION IF THE MEMBER SHALL HAVE ACTED
   36  IN GOOD FAITH, WITH REASONABLE CARE AND UPON PROBABLE CAUSE.
   37    12. THE DIRECTOR SHALL CONSULT WITH THE COUNCIL ON ANY MATTER REQUIRED
   38  BY THIS TITLE RELATING TO ELDER ABUSE, AND THE  COUNCIL  SHALL  CONSIDER
   39  ANY SUCH MATTER AND ADVISE THE DIRECTOR THEREON. THE DIRECTOR SHALL TAKE
   40  NO ACTION REQUIRED BY THIS TITLE WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING WITH THE COUN-
   41  CIL, PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT THE COUNCIL'S FAILURE TO RESPOND WITHIN THIR-
   42  TY  BUSINESS  DAYS TO ANY SUCH REQUEST FOR ADVICE AND CONSULTATION SHALL
   43  NOT BE DEEMED AN IMPAIRMENT OF THE DIRECTOR'S POWER, ABILITY, OR RESPON-
   44  SIBILITY TO IMPLEMENT PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE.  THE  COUNCIL  MAY  FROM
   45  TIME  TO TIME SUBMIT TO THE DIRECTOR, THE GOVERNOR, AND THE LEGISLATURE,
   46  ANY RECOMMENDATIONS IT MAY HAVE RELATING TO ELDER ABUSE.
   47    S 422. COOPERATION OF OTHER AGENCIES. 1. THE OFFICE AND THE OFFICE  OF
   48  CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY SERVICES ARE HEREWITH EMPOWERED TO AND SHALL ENTER
   49  INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO EXECUTE THE PURPOSES AND INTENT OF
   50  THIS ARTICLE. SUCH  MEMORANDUM  OF  UNDERSTANDING  SHALL  ESTABLISH  THE
   51  OFFICE,  DESIGNATED  AGENCIES, AND "SAVS UNITS" (AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION
   52  FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR OF THIS TITLE) AS THE LEAD AGENCIES FOR  INVES-
   53  TIGATION  OF  ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT OF SENIORS, SHALL ASSURE THAT ADULT
   54  PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNITS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART  OF  THE  LOCAL  SERVICES
   55  TEAMS,  SHALL ASSURE APPROPRIATE SHARING OF INFORMATION, AND INSURE THAT
   56  APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS ARE MADE TO LOCAL SERVICES PLANS.
       A. 6555                            15
    1    2. TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE, THE DIRECTOR MAY  REQUEST
    2  AND  SHALL  RECEIVE  FROM OFFICES, BOARDS, BUREAUS, OR OTHER AGENCIES OF
    3  THE STATE, OR ANY OF ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, OR ANY DULY  AUTHORIZED
    4  AGENCY,  OR  ANY OTHER AGENCY PROVIDING SERVICES TO SENIORS SUCH ASSIST-
    5  ANCE  AND  DATA  AS  WILL  ENABLE  THE OFFICE AND DESIGNATED AGENCIES TO
    6  FULFILL THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES.
    7    3. IN RELATION TO AN INVESTIGATION OF A REPORT OF ABUSE  OR  MALTREAT-
    8  MENT  INVOLVING A SENIOR IN RESIDENTIAL CARE, SUCH DATA MAY INCLUDE, BUT
    9  NEED NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE CASE RECORDS OF THE SENIOR WHO ALLEGEDLY WAS
   10  ABUSED OR MALTREATED AND ANY OTHER SENIOR WHO  ALLEGEDLY  WITNESSED  THE
   11  ABUSE  OR  MALTREATMENT  AND,  CONSISTENT  WITH  APPROPRIATE  COLLECTIVE
   12  BARGAINING AGREEMENTS AND APPLICABLE PROVISIONS  OF  THE  CIVIL  SERVICE
   13  LAW,  THOSE  PORTIONS  OF  THE  EMPLOYMENT  RECORD OF THE SUBJECT OF THE
   14  REPORT CONSIDERED BY THE SUBJECT'S EMPLOYER TO BE RELEVANT  AND  REASON-
   15  ABLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGATIONS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE OFFICE.
   16    S  423.  IMPLEMENTATION.  1. THE DIRECTOR, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE
   17  COUNCIL, SHALL ESTABLISH TIMELINES FOR COMPLETING  THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF
   18  THIS TITLE, AS FOLLOWS:
   19    (A)  WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS TITLE, THE DIRECTOR
   20  SHALL:
   21    (I) ESTABLISH PLANNING PROTOCOLS FOR ESTABLISHMENT  OF  THE  STATEWIDE
   22  CENTRAL REGISTRY FOR ABUSE AND NEGLECT;
   23    (II)  ESTABLISH A TRAINING REGIME FOR DESIGNATED AGENCIES AND TEAMS OF
   24  LOCAL SERVICES;
   25    (III) ESTABLISH INVESTIGATORY PROTOCOLS FOR  DESIGNATED  AGENCIES  AND
   26  TEAMS OF LOCAL SERVICES;
   27    (IV)  ESTABLISH A WEBSITE TO CONVEY INFORMATION ABOUT SENIOR ABUSE AND
   28  MALTREATMENT, AND THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE; AND
   29    (V) COMPLETE AGREEMENTS AS NECESSARY  OR  REQUIRED  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
   30  TITLE WITH OTHER STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL AGENCIES REGARDING THE IMPLE-
   31  MENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE.
   32    (B)  WITHIN  EIGHTEEN  MONTHS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS TITLE, THE
   33  DIRECTOR SHALL:
   34    (I) PROMULGATE REGULATIONS CONCERNING PERSONS WHO SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO
   35  INFORMATION AND DATA CONTAINED IN THE REGISTRY, AND THE  CONFIDENTIALITY
   36  REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING SUCH ACCESS.
   37    (II)  PROMULGATE  REGULATIONS CONCERNING SHARING OF INFORMATION, DATA,
   38  AND REPORTS TO THE REGISTRY FOR INVESTIGATORY PURPOSES.
   39    (III) COMPLETE TRAINING OF DESIGNATED  AGENCIES  AND  TEAMS  OF  LOCAL
   40  SERVICES IN AT LEAST FIFTY PERCENT OF THE COUNTIES OF THE STATE.
   41    (C) WITHIN TWO YEARS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS TITLE, THE DIRECTOR
   42  SHALL:
   43    (I) ESTABLISH THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTRY FOR ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
   44    (II)  COMPLETE  TRAINING OF THE DESIGNATED AGENCIES AND TEAMS OF LOCAL
   45  SERVICES.
   46    S 424. SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES  RESPONSIBILITIES  AND  ORGANIZA-
   47  TION.  1. EVERY DESIGNATED AGENCY SHALL ESTABLISH A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE
   48  SERVICE  (SAVS) UNIT WITHIN SUCH AGENCY. THE SERVICE SHALL PERFORM THOSE
   49  FUNCTIONS ASSIGNED BY THIS TITLE TO  IT  AND  OTHERS  THAT  FURTHER  THE
   50  PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE.
   51    2. EVERY DESIGNATED AGENCY SHALL PROVIDE TO THE SAVS UNIT ANY INFORMA-
   52  TION  AVAILABLE  TO  IT  OR  IN  ITS POSSESSION WHICH IS RELEVANT TO THE
   53  INVESTIGATION OF A REPORT OF ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT OF A SENIOR OR TO THE
   54  PROVISION OF SERVICES, WHERE THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF SUCH INFORMATION  IS
   55  NOT EXPRESSLY PROTECTED BY LAW.
       A. 6555                            16
    1    3.  THE SAVS UNIT SHALL HAVE A SUFFICIENT STAFF OF PERSONS WITH SUFFI-
    2  CIENT QUALIFICATIONS TO FULFILL THE PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE, ORGANIZED SO
    3  AS TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTINUITY OF RESPONSIBILITY,  CARE  AND  SERVICE  TO
    4  SENIORS.   A DESIGNATED AGENCY SHALL HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN ASSIGNING STAFF
    5  TO THE SAVS UNIT PROVIDED THAT SUCH STAFF HAS THE QUALIFICATIONS AND HAS
    6  RECEIVED THE TRAINING REQUIRED BY THE OFFICE.
    7    4.  CONSISTENT  WITH  APPROPRIATE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS AND
    8  APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, EVERY  SAVS  UNIT  SHALL
    9  ESTABLISH  A  PROCEDURE  TO  REVIEW  AND EVALUATE THE BACKGROUNDS OF AND
   10  INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY APPLICANTS  FOR  EMPLOYMENT.    SUCH  PROCEDURES
   11  SHALL  INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO REQUIREMENTS THAT THE APPLICANT SET
   12  FORTH HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT HISTORY,  PROVIDE  PERSONAL  AND  EMPLOYMENT
   13  REFERENCES  AND  RELEVANT  EXPERIENTIAL AND EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION, AND
   14  SIGN A SWORN STATEMENT INDICATING WHETHER THE APPLICANT, TO THE BEST  OF
   15  HIS  OR  HER KNOWLEDGE, HAS EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME IN THIS STATE
   16  OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
   17    5. ANY OTHER PROVISION OF ANY OTHER LAW TO THE CONTRARY  NOTWITHSTAND-
   18  ING,  THE  SAVS  UNIT SHALL BE THE LEAD ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR RECEIVING
   19  AND INVESTIGATING REPORTS OF ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT OF  SENIORS  AND  FOR
   20  COORDINATING  SERVICES TO SUCH SENIORS.  IT MAY PURCHASE AND UTILIZE THE
   21  SERVICES OF ANY APPROPRIATE PUBLIC OR VOLUNTARY AGENCY IN  PROVIDING  OR
   22  ARRANGING FOR SUCH SERVICES.  SERVICES PURCHASED BY THE SAVS UNIT PURSU-
   23  ANT TO THIS TITLE SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE STATE TO THE LOCALITY.
   24    6.  EACH DESIGNATED AGENCY SHALL SUBMIT TO THE DIRECTOR, AFTER CONSUL-
   25  TATION WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, THE FAMILY COURT AND  APPRO-
   26  PRIATE   PUBLIC  VOLUNTARY  AGENCIES  AND  AFTER  A  PUBLIC  HEARING,  A
   27  DISTRICT-WIDE SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE ENFORCEMENT PLAN,  AS  PRESCRIBED  BY
   28  THE  DIRECTOR  WHICH  SHALL  DESCRIBE  THE  IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS TITLE
   29  INCLUDING THE ORGANIZATION, STAFFING, MODE OF OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCING
   30  OF  THE SAVS UNIT AS WELL AS THE PROVISIONS MADE FOR PURCHASE OF SERVICE
   31  AND INTER-AGENCY RELATIONS.  EACH DESIGNATED AGENCY  SHALL  PREPARE  AND
   32  SUBMIT  ANNUAL  IMPLEMENTATION  REPORTS INCLUDING INFORMATION RELATED TO
   33  ITS SAVS UNIT TO THE OFFICE FOR ITS REVIEW AND APPROVAL.
   34    7. A SAVS UNIT SHALL ESTABLISH A MULTIDISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATIVE  TEAM
   35  OR  TEAMS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING REPORTS OF SUSPECTED ABUSE OR
   36  MALTREATMENT OF SENIORS.  SUCH MULTIDISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATIVE TEAM  MAY
   37  INCLUDE,  BUT  IS NOT LIMITED TO, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ADULT PROTEC-
   38  TIVE SERVICE, OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR LOCAL LAW  ENFORCEMENT,
   39  THE  MEDICAL PROFESSION, PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES, MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES,
   40  MEDICAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING HOSPITALS OR OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCIES OR
   41  INSTITUTIONS AND PERSONNEL OF ANY EXISTING SENIOR  ADVOCACY  OR  SERVICE
   42  CENTERS.  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER  PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY,
   43  MEMBERS OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATIVE TEAM MAY SHARE  WITH  OTHER
   44  TEAM  MEMBERS  CLIENT-IDENTIFIABLE  INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SENIOR OR
   45  SENIOR'S FAMILY TO FACILITATE THE INVESTIGATION OF  SUSPECTED  ABUSE  OR
   46  MALTREATMENT.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL PRECLUDE THE CREATION OF MULTIDISCI-
   47  PLINARY TEAMS WHICH INCLUDE MORE THAN ONE DESIGNATED AGENCY.  EACH  TEAM
   48  SHALL  DEVELOP  A  WRITTEN  PROTOCOL  FOR INVESTIGATION OF ABUSE AND FOR
   49  INTERVIEWING ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT VICTIMS.
   50    8. A SAVS UNIT SHALL PLAN WITH OTHER  PUBLIC,  PRIVATE  AND  VOLUNTARY
   51  AGENCIES  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, AGING,
   52  LEGAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSURING  MAXIMUM
   53  LOCAL   UNDERSTANDING,   COORDINATION  AND  COOPERATIVE  ACTION  IN  THE
   54  PROVISION OF APPROPRIATE SERVICES.
   55    S 425. DUTIES OF THE SAVS UNIT. 1. A SAVS  UNIT  SHALL  RECEIVE  ON  A
   56  TWENTY-FOUR  HOUR, SEVEN DAY A WEEK BASIS ALL REPORTS OF SUSPECTED ABUSE
       A. 6555                            17
    1  OR MALTREATMENT OF A SENIOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THIS  TITLE,  THE  LOCAL
    2  PLAN  AND  THE  REGULATIONS OF THE DIRECTOR, AND SHALL MAINTAIN AND KEEP
    3  UP-TO-DATE A REGISTRY OF ALL CASES REPORTED UNDER  THIS  TITLE  TOGETHER
    4  WITH  ANY  ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION  OBTAINED  AND  A RECORD OF THE FINAL
    5  DISPOSITION OF THE REPORT, INCLUDING SERVICES OFFERED AND ACCEPTED.
    6    2. UPON RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN REPORT, THE SAVS UNIT  SHALL  TRANSMIT  A
    7  COPY  TO  THE STATE REGISTRY, AND WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE
    8  INITIAL REPORT, SHALL SEND A PRELIMINARY WRITTEN REPORT OF  THE  INITIAL
    9  INVESTIGATION,  INCLUDING  EVALUATION AND ACTIONS TAKEN OR CONTEMPLATED,
   10  TO THE REGISTRY. FOLLOW-UP REPORTS SHALL BE MADE  AT  REGULAR  INTERVALS
   11  THEREAFTER IN A MANNER AND FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE DIRECTOR BY REGULATION
   12  TO THE END THAT THE STATE REGISTRY IS KEPT FULLY INFORMED AND UP-TO-DATE
   13  CONCERNING THE HANDLING OF REPORTS.
   14    3.  A  SAVS UNIT SHALL GIVE TELEPHONE NOTICE AND FORWARD IMMEDIATELY A
   15  COPY OF REPORTS MADE PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE WHICH INVOLVE THE DEATH OF A
   16  SENIOR TO THE APPROPRIATE  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY.  IN  ADDITION,  TELEPHONE
   17  NOTICE  SHALL BE GIVEN AND A COPY OF ANY OR ALL REPORTS MADE PURSUANT TO
   18  THIS TITLE SHALL BE FORWARDED IMMEDIATELY TO  THE  APPROPRIATE  DISTRICT
   19  ATTORNEY  IF  A  PRIOR REQUEST IN WRITING FOR SUCH NOTICE AND COPIES HAS
   20  BEEN MADE TO THE UNIT BY THE DISTRICT  ATTORNEY,  AND  IF  THE  DIRECTOR
   21  SHALL  APPROVE.  SUCH  REQUEST  SHALL  SPECIFY  THE KINDS OF ALLEGATIONS
   22  CONCERNING WHICH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY REQUIRES SUCH NOTICE  AND  COPIES
   23  AND SHALL PROVIDE A COPY OF THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF LAW.
   24    4.  UPON  RECEIPT  OF A REPORT, THE SAVS UNIT SHALL WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR
   25  HOURS COMMENCE AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RISK FOR THE SENIOR TO REMAIN  IN
   26  THE  EXISTING  ENVIRONMENT,  A  DETERMINATION  OF THE NATURE, EXTENT AND
   27  CAUSE OF ANY CONDITION ENUMERATED IN THE REPORT, AND,  AFTER  SEEING  TO
   28  THE  SAFETY  OF  THE SENIOR, NOTIFY THE SUBJECTS OF THE REPORT AND OTHER
   29  PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT IN WRITING OF THE EXISTENCE  OF  THE  REPORT
   30  AND  EACH PERSON'S RESPECTIVE RIGHTS PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE IN REGARD TO
   31  AMENDMENT.
   32    5. THE SAVS UNIT SHALL  DETERMINE,  WITHIN  SIXTY  DAYS,  WHETHER  THE
   33  REPORT IS "INDICATED" OR "UNFOUNDED".
   34    6. THE UNIT SHALL REFER ANY SUSPECTED CASES OF FALSELY REPORTING ABUSE
   35  AND  MALTREATMENT  OF A SENIOR TO THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
   36  OR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
   37    7. THE SAVS UNIT SHALL TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION  TO  PROTECT  A  SENIOR
   38  FROM  FURTHER  ABUSE  OR  MALTREATMENT,  INCLUDING  OFFERING APPROPRIATE
   39  SERVICES AND IN CASES IN WHICH AN OFFER OF SERVICE IS  REFUSED  AND  THE
   40  SAVS UNIT DETERMINES THAT THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE SENIOR REQUIRE COURT
   41  ACTION,  INITIATE  THE  APPROPRIATE PROCEEDING OR MAKE A REFERRAL TO THE
   42  APPROPRIATE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, OR BOTH.
   43    8. ANY DESIGNATED AGENCY OR SAVS UNIT OFFICIAL AUTHORIZED OR  REQUIRED
   44  TO DETERMINE THE NEED FOR AND/OR PROVIDE OR ARRANGE FOR THE PROVISION OF
   45  SERVICES  TO  SENIORS  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE
   46  SHALL HAVE IMMUNITY FROM ANY CIVIL LIABILITY THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE RESULT
   47  BY REASON OF PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES, PROVIDED SUCH OFFICIAL WAS  ACTING
   48  WITHIN  THE SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT AND IN THE DISCHARGE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES,
   49  AND THAT SUCH LIABILITY DID NOT RESULT FROM THE  WILLFUL  ACT  OR  GROSS
   50  NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH OFFICIAL OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE.
   51    9.  WHEN  A SAVS OFFICIAL SHALL HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A CRIMINAL
   52  OFFENSE HAS BEEN COMMITTED AGAINST A SENIOR WHO  HAS  BECOME  AN  ABUSED
   53  SENIOR,  THE  OFFICIAL  SHALL REPORT THIS INFORMATION TO THE APPROPRIATE
   54  POLICE OR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S  OFFICE  WHEN
   55  SUCH OFFICE HAS REQUESTED SUCH INFORMATION BE REPORTED BY A LOCAL SOCIAL
   56  SERVICES OFFICIAL OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE.
       A. 6555                            18
    1    S  426. LOCAL AND REGIONAL FATALITY REVIEW TEAMS. 1. A FATALITY REVIEW
    2  TEAM MAY BE ESTABLISHED AT A LOCAL OR REGIONAL LEVEL, WITH THE  APPROVAL
    3  OF  THE OFFICE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF ANY SENIOR
    4  IN THE CASE OF A REPORT MADE TO THE REGISTRY. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY  OTHER
    5  PROVISION  OF  LAW  TO  THE  CONTRARY  AND TO THE EXTENT CONSISTENT WITH
    6  FEDERAL LAW, SUCH LOCAL OR REGIONAL  FATALITY  REVIEW  TEAM  SHALL  HAVE
    7  ACCESS  TO  THOSE CLIENT-IDENTIFIABLE RECORDS NECESSARY FOR THE PREPARA-
    8  TION OF THE REPORT, AS AUTHORIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS TITLE.
    9    2. A LOCAL OR REGIONAL FATALITY REVIEW  TEAM  MUST  INCLUDE  REPRESEN-
   10  TATIVES  FROM  THE LOCAL SERVICE, THE OFFICE, THE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT
   11  ATTORNEY OR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, OFFICE OF  THE  MEDICAL  EXAMINER  OR
   12  CORONER,  AND A PHYSICIAN OR COMPARABLE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. A LOCAL OR
   13  REGIONAL FATALITY REVIEW TEAM  MAY  ALSO  INCLUDE  REPRESENTATIVES  FROM
   14  PUBLIC  HEALTH AGENCIES, MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES, AND MEDICAL FACILITIES,
   15  INCLUDING HOSPITALS OR OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCIES OR INSTITUTIONS.
   16    S 427. GRANTS FOR SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECTS. THE  DIRECTOR  SHALL,
   17  WITHIN  AMOUNTS  APPROPRIATED  THEREFOR  FROM  THE  SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE
   18  SERVICES ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO  SECTION  NINETY-SEVEN-LLLL  OF
   19  THE  STATE FINANCE LAW, PROVIDE GRANTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NOT-FOR-
   20  PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO:
   21    1. IMPROVE RESEARCH, DATA COLLECTION,  AND  REPORTING  ON  ELDER/ADULT
   22  ABUSE.
   23    2. IMPLEMENT RESEARCH AND PROGRAM INNOVATION.
   24    3. PUBLIC EDUCATION.
   25    4. DEVELOPMENT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO
   26  COMBAT ELDER ABUSE.
   27    5.  RESEARCH INTO DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND BARRIERS TO ACCESS THE SERVICES
   28  SYSTEM, DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING.
   29    6. PROTECTION OF VICTIMS.
   30    7. DEVELOPMENT OF  BEST  AND  INNOVATIVE  PRACTICES  IN  CARRYING  OUT
   31  SERVICES.
   32    8.  REVIEW  OF  POLICIES  IN  ORDER  TO BETTER COORDINATE PREVENTIONS,
   33  INTERVENTIONS (INCLUDING PROSECUTION), SERVICES AND VICTIMS'  ASSISTANCE
   34  FOR ABUSED, EXPLOITED, AND NEGLECTED ELDERS.
   35    9.  DEVELOPMENT  OF  A  BROAD-BASED,  MULTIDISCIPLINARY  TASK FORCE OR
   36  COALITION TO EXAMINE SYSTEMIC APPROACHES TO RESPONDING TO ELDER ABUSE.
   37    10. DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION  OF  A  MULTIDISCIPLINARY  RESEARCH
   38  AGENDA TO SUSTAIN, ADVANCE AND ASSESS PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND PRACTICE
   39  ON ADULT OR ELDER ABUSE.
   40    11.  PROVIDE  SPECIALIZED TRAINING TO COMPONENTS OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
   41  IS ESSENTIAL TO BETTER IDENTIFY CASES, IMPROVE INVESTIGATIONS,  INCREASE
   42  PROSECUTIONS,  BETTER SERVE VICTIMS, ESTABLISH INTERDISCIPLINARY COORDI-
   43  NATION, AND PROMOTE ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION PROGRAMS.
   44    S 3.  The section heading and subdivision 1 of section  60.35  of  the
   45  penal  law,  as amended by section 1 of part E of chapter 56 of the laws
   46  of 2004, subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (a) of  subdivi-
   47  sion  1  as amended by section 1 of part DD of chapter 56 of the laws of
   48  2008 and paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 320 of the
   49  laws of 2006, are amended to read as follows:
   50    Mandatory surcharge, sex offender registration fee, DNA databank  fee,
   51  supplemental  sex offender victim fee [and], crime victim assistance AND
   52  A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES fee required in certain cases.
   53    1. (a) Except as provided in section  eighteen  hundred  nine  of  the
   54  vehicle  and  traffic law and section 27.12 of the parks, recreation and
   55  historic preservation law, whenever  proceedings  in  an  administrative
   56  tribunal or a court of this state result in a conviction for a felony, a
       A. 6555                            19
    1  misdemeanor, or a violation, as these terms are defined in section 10.00
    2  of  this  chapter,  there  shall  be  levied  at  sentencing a mandatory
    3  surcharge, sex offender registration fee,  DNA  databank  fee  [and],  a
    4  crime  victim  assistance fee AND A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE in
    5  addition to any sentence required or permitted  by  law,  in  accordance
    6  with the following schedule:
    7    (i)  a person convicted of a felony shall pay a mandatory surcharge of
    8  three hundred dollars [and], a crime victim assistance  fee  of  twenty-
    9  five dollars, AND A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE OF FIFTY DOLLARS;
   10    (ii)  a  person  convicted  of  a  misdemeanor  shall  pay a mandatory
   11  surcharge of one hundred seventy-five  dollars  [and],  a  crime  victim
   12  assistance  fee  of  twenty-five  dollars,  AND  A  SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE
   13  SERVICES FEE OF FIFTY DOLLARS;
   14    (iii) a  person  convicted  of  a  violation  shall  pay  a  mandatory
   15  surcharge of ninety-five dollars [and], a crime victim assistance fee of
   16  twenty-five  dollars,  AND  A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE OF FIFTY
   17  DOLLARS;
   18    (iv) a person convicted of a sex offense as defined by subdivision two
   19  of section one hundred sixty-eight-a of the correction law or a sexually
   20  violent offense as defined by subdivision three of section  one  hundred
   21  sixty-eight-a  of  the  correction law shall, in addition to a mandatory
   22  surcharge and crime victim assistance fee, pay a sex offender  registra-
   23  tion fee of fifty dollars[.], AND A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE OF
   24  FIFTY DOLLARS;
   25    (v)  a person convicted of a designated offense as defined by subdivi-
   26  sion seven of section nine hundred  ninety-five  of  the  executive  law
   27  shall,  in addition to a mandatory surcharge and crime victim assistance
   28  fee, pay a DNA databank fee of fifty dollars, AND A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE
   29  SERVICES FEE OF FIFTY DOLLARS.
   30    (b) When the  felony  or  misdemeanor  conviction  in  [subparagraphs]
   31  SUBPARAGRAPH  (i),  (ii)  or  (iv)  of paragraph (a) of this subdivision
   32  results from an offense contained in article one hundred thirty of  this
   33  chapter,  incest  in  the  third,  second  or first degree as defined in
   34  sections 255.25, 255.26  and  255.27  of  this  chapter  or  an  offense
   35  contained in article two hundred sixty-three of this chapter, the person
   36  convicted  shall pay a supplemental sex offender victim fee of one thou-
   37  sand dollars, AND A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE  OF  FIVE  HUNDRED
   38  DOLLARS, in addition to the mandatory surcharge and any other fee.
   39    S  4. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 97-llll
   40  to read as follows:
   41    S 97-LLLL. SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES ACCOUNT. 1. THERE  IS  HEREBY
   42  ESTABLISHED  IN  THE  JOINT  CUSTODY  OF  THE  STATE COMPTROLLER AND THE
   43  COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE A SPECIAL REVENUE
   44  FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES ACCOUNT".
   45    2. THE SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES ACCOUNT SHALL  CONSIST  OF  THOSE
   46  MONIES  RECEIVED BY THE STATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 60.35 OF THE PENAL LAW
   47  AND MONIES RECEIVED BY THE STATE PURSUANT TO  SECTION  EIGHTEEN  HUNDRED
   48  NINE  OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW FROM ANY COURT OF THE UNIFIED COURT
   49  SYSTEM OTHER THAN TOWN OR VILLAGE COURTS  AND  ALL  OTHER  FEES,  FINES,
   50  GRANTS,  BEQUESTS  OR OTHER MONIES CREDITED, APPROPRIATED OR TRANSFERRED
   51  THERETO FROM ANY OTHER FUND OR SOURCE.
   52    3. MONIES OF THE  SENIOR  ANTI-VIOLENCE  SERVICES  ACCOUNT,  FOLLOWING
   53  APPROPRIATION  BY  THE LEGISLATURE AND ALLOCATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE
   54  BUDGET SHALL  BE  MADE  AVAILABLE  FOR  LOCAL  ASSISTANCE  SERVICES  AND
   55  EXPENSES  OF  PROGRAMS  TO PROVIDE SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES THROUGH
       A. 6555                            20
    1  THE STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING, AS ADMINISTERED PURSUANT  TO  THE  ELDER
    2  LAW.
    3    S  5. Section 1809 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chap-
    4  ter 55 of the laws of 1992, subdivision 1 as amended  by  section  2  of
    5  part  DD  of  chapter  56 of the laws of 2008, the opening paragraph and
    6  paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 as separately amended  by  section  3  of
    7  chapter  43  and  section  10 of chapters 99, 101 and 123 of the laws of
    8  2014, subdivision 2 as amended by section 6 of part C of chapter  55  of
    9  the laws of 2013, subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 309 of the laws of
   10  1996,  subdivision  5  as  amended  by  chapter 385 of the laws of 1999,
   11  subdivision 8 as amended by section 13 of part E of chapter  55  of  the
   12  laws  of  2013,  subdivision  9 as amended by chapter 452 of the laws of
   13  1999 and subdivision 10 as added by section 3 of part F of chapter 56 of
   14  the laws of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
   15    S 1809. Mandatory surcharge and crime victim assistance  fee  required
   16  in certain cases.  1. Whenever proceedings in an administrative tribunal
   17  or  a  court  of  this state result in a conviction for an offense under
   18  this chapter or a traffic infraction under this chapter, or a local law,
   19  ordinance, rule or regulation adopted pursuant to  this  chapter,  other
   20  than  a  traffic  infraction involving standing, stopping, or parking or
   21  violations by pedestrians or bicyclists, or other than  an  adjudication
   22  of  liability  of an owner for a violation of subdivision (d) of section
   23  eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section  eleven
   24  hundred  eleven-a  of  this  chapter,  or  other than an adjudication of
   25  liability of an owner for a violation  of  subdivision  (d)  of  section
   26  eleven  hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section eleven
   27  hundred eleven-b of this chapter,  or  other  than  an  adjudication  in
   28  accordance  with  section  eleven hundred eleven-c of this chapter for a
   29  violation of a bus lane restriction as defined in such section, or other
   30  than an adjudication of liability of an owner for a violation of  subdi-
   31  vision  (d)  of section eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in accord-
   32  ance with section eleven hundred eleven-d of this chapter, or other than
   33  an adjudication of liability of an owner for a violation of  subdivision
   34  (b), (c), (d), (f) or (g) of section eleven hundred eighty of this chap-
   35  ter  in accordance with section eleven hundred eighty-b of this chapter,
   36  or other than an adjudication of liability of an owner for  a  violation
   37  of  subdivision  (b),  (c),  (d),  (f)  or (g) of section eleven hundred
   38  eighty of this chapter in accordance with section eleven hundred  eight-
   39  y-c  of  this  chapter,  there shall be levied a crime victim assistance
   40  fee, A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE OF FIVE DOLLARS and a mandatory
   41  surcharge, in addition to any sentence required or permitted by law,  in
   42  accordance with the following schedule:
   43    (a)  Whenever  proceedings in an administrative tribunal or a court of
   44  this state result in a conviction for a traffic infraction  pursuant  to
   45  article  nine  of  this  chapter,  there  shall be levied a crime victim
   46  assistance fee in the amount of five  dollars,  A  SENIOR  ANTI-VIOLENCE
   47  SERVICES  FEE  OF FIVE DOLLARS and a mandatory surcharge, in addition to
   48  any sentence required or permitted by law, in the amount of  twenty-five
   49  dollars.
   50    (b)  Whenever  proceedings in an administrative tribunal or a court of
   51  this state result in a conviction for a misdemeanor or  felony  pursuant
   52  to  section  eleven  hundred  ninety-two of this chapter, there shall be
   53  levied, in addition to any sentence required  or  permitted  by  law,  a
   54  crime  victim  assistance  fee  in  the amount of twenty-five dollars, A
   55  SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES  FEE  OF  FIVE  DOLLARS  and  a  mandatory
   56  surcharge in accordance with the following schedule:
       A. 6555                            21
    1    (i)  a person convicted of a felony shall pay a mandatory surcharge of
    2  three hundred dollars;
    3    (ii)  a  person  convicted  of  a  misdemeanor  shall  pay a mandatory
    4  surcharge of one hundred seventy-five dollars.
    5    (c) Whenever proceedings in an administrative tribunal or a  court  of
    6  this  state  result  in  a  conviction for an offense under this chapter
    7  other than a crime pursuant to section eleven hundred ninety-two of this
    8  chapter, or a traffic infraction under this chapter,  or  a  local  law,
    9  ordinance,  rule  or  regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, other
   10  than a traffic infraction involving standing, stopping,  or  parking  or
   11  violations  by  pedestrians or bicyclists, or other than an adjudication
   12  of liability of an owner for a violation of subdivision (d)  of  section
   13  eleven  hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section eleven
   14  hundred eleven-a of this chapter,  or  other  than  an  adjudication  of
   15  liability  of  an  owner  for  a violation of subdivision (d) of section
   16  eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section  eleven
   17  hundred  eleven-b  of  this  chapter,  or  other than an adjudication of
   18  liability of an owner for a violation  of  subdivision  (d)  of  section
   19  eleven  hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section eleven
   20  hundred eleven-d of this chapter, or other than an  infraction  pursuant
   21  to article nine of this chapter or other than an adjudication of liabil-
   22  ity  of an owner for a violation of toll collection regulations pursuant
   23  to section two thousand nine hundred eighty-five of the public  authori-
   24  ties law or sections sixteen-a, sixteen-b and sixteen-c of chapter seven
   25  hundred seventy-four of the laws of nineteen hundred fifty or other than
   26  an  adjudication  in  accordance with section eleven hundred eleven-c of
   27  this chapter for a violation of a bus lane  restriction  as  defined  in
   28  such section, or other than an adjudication of liability of an owner for
   29  a  violation  of subdivision (b), (c), (d), (f) or (g) of section eleven
   30  hundred eighty of this chapter in accordance with section eleven hundred
   31  eighty-b of this chapter, or other than an adjudication of liability  of
   32  an  owner  for  a  violation of subdivision (b), (c), (d), (f) or (g) of
   33  section eleven hundred eighty of this chapter in accordance with section
   34  eleven hundred eighty-c of this chapter, there shall be levied  a  crime
   35  victim  assistance fee in the amount of five dollars, A SENIOR ANTI-VIO-
   36  LENCE SERVICES FEE OF FIVE DOLLARS and a mandatory surcharge,  in  addi-
   37  tion  to  any  sentence  required  or permitted by law, in the amount of
   38  fifty-five dollars.
   39    2. Where a person is convicted of two or more such crimes  or  traffic
   40  infractions  committed  through  a single act or omission, or through an
   41  act or omission which in itself constituted one of the crimes or traffic
   42  infractions and also was a material element of the other, the  court  or
   43  administrative tribunal shall impose a crime victim assistance fee and a
   44  mandatory surcharge mandated by subdivision one of this section for each
   45  such  conviction;  provided  however,  that  in no event shall the total
   46  amount of such crime victim assistance  fees  and  mandatory  surcharges
   47  imposed  pursuant  to  paragraph  (a)  or (c) of subdivision one of this
   48  section exceed one hundred ninety-six dollars.
   49    3. The mandatory surcharge provided for in  subdivision  one  of  this
   50  section shall be paid to the clerk of the court or administrative tribu-
   51  nal that rendered the conviction. Within the first ten days of the month
   52  following collection of the mandatory surcharge the collecting authority
   53  shall  determine  the amount of mandatory surcharge collected and, if it
   54  is an administrative tribunal or a town or  village  justice  court,  it
   55  shall  pay  such  money  to the state comptroller who shall deposit such
   56  money in the state treasury pursuant to section one  hundred  twenty-one
       A. 6555                            22
    1  of  the  state  finance  law to the credit of the general fund.  If such
    2  collecting authority is any other court of the unified court system,  it
    3  shall,  within  such period, pay such money to the state commissioner of
    4  taxation  and  finance to the credit of the criminal justice improvement
    5  account established by section ninety-seven-bb of the state finance law,
    6  OR IN THE CASE OF THE SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE, TO  THE  CREDIT
    7  OF  THE  SENIOR  ANTI-VIOLENCE  SERVICES ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
    8  SECTION NINETY-SEVEN-LLLL OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW.   The  crime  victim
    9  assistance  fee provided for in subdivision one of this section shall be
   10  paid to the clerk of the court or administrative tribunal that  rendered
   11  the  conviction.  Within  the  first  ten  days  of  the month following
   12  collection of the crime victim assistance fee AND THE  SENIOR  ANTI-VIO-
   13  LENCE  SERVICES FEE, the collecting authority shall determine the amount
   14  of crime victim assistance fee AND THE SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE
   15  collected and, if it is an administrative tribunal or a town or  village
   16  justice  court,  it  shall  pay  such money to the state comptroller who
   17  shall deposit such money in the state treasury pursuant to  section  one
   18  hundred  twenty-one of the state finance law to the credit of the crimi-
   19  nal justice improvement account established by  section  ninety-seven-bb
   20  of  the  state  finance  law, OR IN THE CASE OF THE SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE
   21  SERVICES FEE, TO THE CREDIT OF THE SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES ACCOUNT
   22  ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION NINETY-SEVEN-LLLL OF THE  STATE  FINANCE
   23  LAW.
   24    4.  Any  person  who  has  paid  a mandatory surcharge or crime victim
   25  assistance fee OR A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE under the authori-
   26  ty of this section which is ultimately determined not to be required  by
   27  this  section  shall be entitled to a refund of such mandatory surcharge
   28  or crime victim assistance fee OR SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE upon
   29  application to  the  state  comptroller.  The  state  comptroller  shall
   30  require  such  proof  as it is necessary in order to determine whether a
   31  refund is required by law.
   32    5. When a person who is convicted of a crime or traffic infraction and
   33  sentenced to a term of imprisonment has  failed  to  pay  the  mandatory
   34  surcharge  or  crime  victim  assistance fee OR THE SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE
   35  SERVICES FEE required by this section, the clerk of  the  court  or  the
   36  administrative  tribunal  that  rendered the conviction shall notify the
   37  superintendent or the municipal  official  of  the  facility  where  the
   38  person  is  confined. The superintendent or the municipal official shall
   39  cause any amount owing to be collected from such person during his  term
   40  of  imprisonment  from  moneys to the credit of an inmates' fund or such
   41  moneys as may be earned by a person in a work release  program  pursuant
   42  to  section eight hundred sixty of the correction law. Such moneys shall
   43  be paid over to the state comptroller to  the  credit  of  the  criminal
   44  justice  improvement  account  established by section ninety-seven-bb of
   45  the state finance law, OR  IN  THE  CASE  OF  THE  SENIOR  ANTI-VIOLENCE
   46  SERVICES FEE, TO THE CREDIT OF THE SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES ACCOUNT
   47  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT  TO SECTION NINETY-SEVEN-LLLL OF THE STATE FINANCE
   48  LAW, except that any such moneys collected which are surcharges or crime
   49  victim assistance fees OR SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEES  levied  in
   50  relation  to  convictions  obtained  in  a town or village justice court
   51  shall be paid within thirty days after the receipt thereof by the super-
   52  intendent or municipal official of the facility to the  justice  of  the
   53  court in which the conviction was obtained. For the purposes of collect-
   54  ing  such mandatory surcharge or crime victim assistance [fee] OR SENIOR
   55  ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEES, the state shall be legally entitled to  the
   56  money  to  the credit of an inmates' fund or money which is earned by an
       A. 6555                            23
    1  inmate in a work release program. For purposes of this subdivision,  the
    2  term "inmates' fund" shall mean moneys in the possession of an inmate at
    3  the  time  of  his  admission into such facility, funds earned by him as
    4  provided  for  in section one hundred eighty-seven of the correction law
    5  and any other funds received by him or on his behalf and deposited  with
    6  such superintendent or municipal official.
    7    5-a. The provisions of subdivision four-a of section five hundred ten,
    8  subdivision three of section five hundred fourteen and subdivision three
    9  of  section  two  hundred twenty-seven of this chapter governing actions
   10  which may be taken for failure to pay a fine or penalty shall be  appli-
   11  cable  to a mandatory surcharge or crime victim assistance fee OR SENIOR
   12  ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE imposed pursuant to this section.
   13    6. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, where a person
   14  has made restitution or reparation pursuant  to  section  60.27  of  the
   15  penal  law,  such  person  shall  not  be  required  to  pay a mandatory
   16  surcharge  or  crime  victim  assistance  fee  OR  SENIOR  ANTI-VIOLENCE
   17  SERVICES FEE.
   18    7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, where a manda-
   19  tory  surcharge  or  crime victim assistance fee OR SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE
   20  SERVICES FEE is imposed pursuant to the provisions of section  60.35  of
   21  the  penal law, no mandatory surcharge or crime victim assistance fee OR
   22  SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE  shall  be  imposed  pursuant  to  the
   23  provisions of this section.
   24    8. The provisions of this section shall only apply to offenses commit-
   25  ted on or before September first, two thousand fifteen.
   26    9.  Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision one of this section,
   27  in the event a proceeding is in a town or village court, the court shall
   28  add an additional five dollars to the surcharges imposed by such  subdi-
   29  vision one of this section.
   30    10.  For  the  purposes of this section, the term conviction means and
   31  includes the conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor for which a  youth-
   32  ful offender finding was substituted and upon such a finding there shall
   33  be levied a mandatory surcharge and a crime victim assistance fee to the
   34  same  extent  and in the same manner and amount provided by this section
   35  for conviction of the felony or misdemeanor, as the  case  may  be,  for
   36  which such youthful offender finding was substituted.
   37    S  6. Subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
   38  separately amended by section 3-a of chapter  43  and  section  10-a  of
   39  chapters  99,  101  and  123  of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as
   40  follows:
   41    1. Whenever proceedings in an administrative tribunal or  a  court  of
   42  this  state  result  in a conviction for a crime under this chapter or a
   43  traffic infraction under this chapter, or a local law,  ordinance,  rule
   44  or  regulation  adopted  pursuant  to this chapter, other than a traffic
   45  infraction involving standing, stopping, parking or motor vehicle equip-
   46  ment or violations by pedestrians or bicyclists, or other than an  adju-
   47  dication  of liability of an owner for a violation of subdivision (d) of
   48  section eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section
   49  eleven hundred eleven-a of this chapter, or other than  an  adjudication
   50  of  liability  of an owner for a violation of subdivision (d) of section
   51  eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section  eleven
   52  hundred  eleven-b  of  this  chapter,  or  other than an adjudication in
   53  accordance with section eleven hundred eleven-c of this  chapter  for  a
   54  violation of a bus lane restriction as defined in such section, or other
   55  than  an adjudication of liability of an owner for a violation of subdi-
   56  vision (d) of section eleven hundred eleven of this chapter  in  accord-
       A. 6555                            24
    1  ance with section eleven hundred eleven-d of this chapter, or other than
    2  an  adjudication of liability of an owner for a violation of subdivision
    3  (b), (c), (d), (f) or (g) of section eleven hundred eighty of this chap-
    4  ter  in accordance with section eleven hundred eighty-b of this chapter,
    5  or other than an adjudication of liability of an owner for  a  violation
    6  of  subdivision  (b),  (c),  (d),  (f)  or (g) of section eleven hundred
    7  eighty of this chapter in accordance with section eleven hundred  eight-
    8  y-c  of  this  chapter,  there shall be levied a mandatory surcharge, in
    9  addition to any sentence required or permitted by law, in the amount  of
   10  twenty-five   dollars   AND  A  SENIOR  ANTI-VIOLENCE  SERVICES  FEE  OF
   11  TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.
   12    S 7. Subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and traffic law,  as
   13  separately  amended  by  section  3-b  of chapter 43 and section 10-b of
   14  chapters 99, 101 and 123 of the laws of 2014,  is  amended  to  read  as
   15  follows:
   16    1.  Whenever  proceedings  in an administrative tribunal or a court of
   17  this state result in a conviction for a crime under this  chapter  or  a
   18  traffic  infraction  under  this chapter other than a traffic infraction
   19  involving standing, stopping, parking  or  motor  vehicle  equipment  or
   20  violations  by  pedestrians or bicyclists, or other than an adjudication
   21  in accordance with section eleven hundred eleven-c of this chapter for a
   22  violation of a bus lane restriction as defined in such section, or other
   23  than an adjudication of liability of an owner for a violation of  subdi-
   24  vision  (d)  of section eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in accord-
   25  ance with section eleven hundred eleven-d of this chapter, or other than
   26  an adjudication of liability of an owner for a violation of  subdivision
   27  (b), (c), (d), (f) or (g) of section eleven hundred eighty of this chap-
   28  ter  in accordance with section eleven hundred eighty-b of this chapter,
   29  or other than an adjudication of liability of an owner for  a  violation
   30  of  subdivision  (b),  (c),  (d),  (f)  or (g) of section eleven hundred
   31  eighty of this chapter in accordance with section eleven hundred  eight-
   32  y-c  of  this  chapter,  there shall be levied a mandatory surcharge, in
   33  addition to any sentence required or permitted by law, in the amount  of
   34  seventeen   dollars,   AND   A  SENIOR  ANTI-VIOLENCE  SERVICES  FEE  OF
   35  TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.
   36    S 8. Subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and traffic law,  as
   37  separately  amended  by  section  3-c  of chapter 43 and section 10-c of
   38  chapters 99, 101 and 123 of the laws of 2014,  is  amended  to  read  as
   39  follows:
   40    1.  Whenever  proceedings  in an administrative tribunal or a court of
   41  this state result in a conviction for a crime under this  chapter  or  a
   42  traffic  infraction  under  this chapter other than a traffic infraction
   43  involving standing, stopping, parking  or  motor  vehicle  equipment  or
   44  violations  by  pedestrians or bicyclists, or other than an adjudication
   45  of liability of an owner for a violation of subdivision (b),  (c),  (d),
   46  (f)  or  (g) of section eleven hundred eighty of this chapter in accord-
   47  ance with section eleven hundred eighty-b of this chapter, or other than
   48  an adjudication of liability of an owner for a violation of  subdivision
   49  (b), (c), (d), (f) or (g) of section eleven hundred eighty of this chap-
   50  ter  in accordance with section eleven hundred eighty-c of this chapter,
   51  or other than an adjudication of liability of an owner for  a  violation
   52  of  subdivision  (d) of section eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in
   53  accordance with section eleven hundred eleven-d of this  chapter,  there
   54  shall  be  levied  a  mandatory  surcharge,  in addition to any sentence
   55  required or permitted by law, in the amount of seventeen dollars, AND  A
   56  SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE OF TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.
       A. 6555                            25
    1    S  9. Subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
    2  separately amended by section 3-d of chapter  43  and  section  10-d  of
    3  chapters  99,  101  and  123  of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as
    4  follows:
    5    1.  Whenever  proceedings  in an administrative tribunal or a court of
    6  this state result in a conviction for a crime under this  chapter  or  a
    7  traffic  infraction  under  this chapter other than a traffic infraction
    8  involving standing, stopping, parking  or  motor  vehicle  equipment  or
    9  violations  by  pedestrians or bicyclists, or other than an adjudication
   10  of liability of an owner for a violation of subdivision (b),  (c),  (d),
   11  (f)  or  (g) of section eleven hundred eighty of this chapter in accord-
   12  ance with section eleven hundred eighty-c of this chapter, or other than
   13  an adjudication of liability of an owner for a violation of  subdivision
   14  (d)  of section eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with
   15  section eleven hundred eleven-d of this chapter, there shall be levied a
   16  mandatory surcharge, in addition to any sentence required  or  permitted
   17  by  law,  in the amount of seventeen dollars, AND A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE
   18  SERVICES FEE OF TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.
   19    S 10. Subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
   20  separately amended by section 10-d of chapters 99, 101 and  123  of  the
   21  laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
   22    1.  Whenever  proceedings  in an administrative tribunal or a court of
   23  this state result in a conviction for a crime under this  chapter  or  a
   24  traffic  infraction  under  this chapter other than a traffic infraction
   25  involving standing, stopping, parking  or  motor  vehicle  equipment  or
   26  violations  by  pedestrians or bicyclists, or other than an adjudication
   27  of liability of an owner for a violation of subdivision (d)  of  section
   28  eleven  hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section eleven
   29  hundred eleven-d of this chapter, there  shall  be  levied  a  mandatory
   30  surcharge,  in addition to any sentence required or permitted by law, in
   31  the amount of seventeen dollars, AND A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE SERVICES FEE
   32  OF TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.
   33    S 11. Subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
   34  separately amended by chapter 16 of 1983 and chapter 62 of the  laws  of
   35  1989, is amended to read as follows:
   36    1.  Whenever  proceedings  in an administrative tribunal or a court of
   37  this state result in a conviction for a crime under this  chapter  or  a
   38  traffic  infraction  under  this chapter other than a traffic infraction
   39  involving standing, stopping, parking  or  motor  vehicle  equipment  or
   40  violations  by pedestrians or bicyclists, there shall be levied a manda-
   41  tory surcharge, in addition to any sentence  required  or  permitted  by
   42  law,  in  the  amount  of  seventeen dollars, AND A SENIOR ANTI-VIOLENCE
   43  SERVICES FEE OF TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.
   44    S 12. Subdivision 3 of section 4 of the banking  law,  as  amended  by
   45  chapter 601 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
   46    3.  No  financial  institution which discloses information pursuant to
   47  subdivision two of this section, or discloses any  financial  record  to
   48  the  state  office  of  temporary  and  disability assistance or a child
   49  support enforcement unit of a social services district for  the  purpose
   50  of  enforcing a child support obligation of such person, shall be liable
   51  under any law to any person for such disclosure, or for any other action
   52  taken in good faith to comply with subdivision two of this section.   NO
   53  BANKING  ORGANIZATION  WHICH  REPORTS  INSTANCES  OF  SUSPECTED ABUSE OR
   54  MISTREATMENT OF SENIORS TO THE STATE OFFICE FOR  THE  AGING,  DESIGNATED
   55  AGENCIES  AND  SAVS  UNITS, AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN ARTICLE FOUR OF
   56  THE ELDER LAW, SHALL BE LIABLE UNDER ANY LAW  TO  ANY  PERSON  FOR  SUCH
       A. 6555                            26
    1  DISCLOSURE,  OR  FOR ANY OTHER ACTION TAKEN IN GOOD FAITH TO COMPLY WITH
    2  THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ARTICLE.
    3    S  13. The penal law is amended by adding a new article 261 to read as
    4  follows:
    5                                 ARTICLE 261
    6                  OFFENSES AGAINST THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED
    7  SECTION 261.00 ELDERLY, VULNERABLE ELDERLY AND DISABLED  PERSONS;  DEFI-
    8                   NITIONS.
    9          261.01 CRIMES AGAINST THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED; PRESUMPTION.
   10          261.02 ABANDONMENT OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON.
   11          261.03 ABANDONMENT OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON; DEFENSE.
   12          261.04 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON.
   13          261.05 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON;
   14                   CORROBORATION.
   15          261.06 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON;
   16                   DEFENSE.
   17          261.07 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A VULNERABLE ELDERLY PERSON OR
   18                   A DISABLED PERSON IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
   19          261.08 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A VULNERABLE ELDERLY PERSON OR
   20                   A DISABLED PERSON IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
   21  S 261.00 ELDERLY, VULNERABLE ELDERLY AND DISABLED PERSONS; DEFINITIONS.
   22    FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS SHALL
   23  APPLY:
   24    1. "CAREGIVER" MEANS A PERSON WHO (I) ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY  FOR  THE
   25  CARE  OF  A VULNERABLE ELDERLY PERSON PURSUANT TO A COURT ORDER; OR (II)
   26  RECEIVES MONETARY OR OTHER VALUABLE CONSIDERATION FOR PROVIDING CARE FOR
   27  A VULNERABLE ELDERLY PERSON.
   28    2. "SEXUAL CONTACT" MEANS ANY TOUCHING OF THE SEXUAL OR OTHER INTIMATE
   29  PARTS OF A PERSON NOT MARRIED TO THE ACTOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF GRATIFYING
   30  SEXUAL DESIRE OF EITHER PARTY.  IT INCLUDES THE TOUCHING OF THE ACTOR BY
   31  THE VICTIM, AS WELL AS THE TOUCHING OF THE VICTIM BY THE ACTOR,  WHETHER
   32  DIRECTLY OR THROUGH CLOTHING.
   33    3.  "VULNERABLE  ELDERLY  PERSON" MEANS A PERSON SIXTY YEARS OF AGE OR
   34  OLDER WHO IS SUFFERING FROM  A  DISEASE  OR  INFIRMITY  ASSOCIATED  WITH
   35  ADVANCED   AGE  AND  MANIFESTED  BY  DEMONSTRABLE  PHYSICAL,  MENTAL  OR
   36  EMOTIONAL DYSFUNCTION TO THE EXTENT THAT  THE  PERSON  IS  INCAPABLE  OF
   37  ADEQUATELY PROVIDING FOR HIS OR HER OWN HEALTH OR PERSONAL CARE.
   38    4. "ELDERLY PERSON" MEANS A PERSON SIXTY YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.
   39    5.  "DISABLED  PERSON"  MEANS  A  PERSON  WHO HAS A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL
   40  IMPAIRMENT THAT SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY.
   41  S 261.01 CRIMES AGAINST THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED; PRESUMPTION.
   42    IN ANY CASE IN WHICH IT SHALL BE  SHOWN  THAT  A  PERSON  INTENDED  TO
   43  COMMIT  A  SPECIFIED OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SECTION 485.05 OF THIS CHAPTER,
   44  IT SHALL BE A REBUTTAL PRESUMPTION THAT THE PERSON SELECTED  THE  VICTIM
   45  OR  COMMITTED  OR  INTENDED  TO  COMMIT THE ACT OR ACTS CONSTITUTING THE
   46  OFFENSE IN WHOLE OR IN SUBSTANTIAL PART BECAUSE OF A  BELIEF  THAT  SUCH
   47  VICTIM IS ELDERLY OR DISABLED.
   48  S 261.02 ABANDONMENT OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON.
   49    A  PERSON  IS  GUILTY  OF ABANDONMENT OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON
   50  WHEN, BEING A PERSON LEGALLY CHARGED WITH THE  CARE  OR  CUSTODY  OF  AN
   51  ELDERLY  OR  DISABLED PERSON, HE OR SHE DESERTS SUCH PERSON IN ANY PLACE
   52  WITH INTENT TO WHOLLY ABANDON HIM OR HER.
   53    ABANDONMENT OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON IS A CLASS E FELONY.
   54  S 261.03 ABANDONMENT OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON; DEFENSE.
       A. 6555                            27
    1    IN ANY PROSECUTION FOR ABANDONMENT OF AN ELDERLY OR  DISABLED  PERSON,
    2  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  261.02  OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  BASED UPON AN ALLEGED
    3  DESERTION OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON  WITH  AN  INTENT  TO  WHOLLY
    4  ABANDON SUCH AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON, IT IS AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
    5  THAT,  WITH  THE INTENT THAT THE ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON BE SAFE FROM
    6  PHYSICAL INJURY AND CARED FOR IN AN APPROPRIATE  MANNER,  THE  DEFENDANT
    7  LEFT  THE  ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON WITH AN APPROPRIATE PERSON OR IN A
    8  SUITABLE LOCATION AND PROMPTLY NOTIFIED AN  APPROPRIATE  PERSON  OF  THE
    9  ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON'S LOCATION.
   10  S 261.04 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON.
   11    A  PERSON  IS GUILTY OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF AN ELDERLY OR DISA-
   12  BLED PERSON WHEN BEING A PERSON LEGALLY CHARGED WITH THE CARE OR CUSTODY
   13  OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON:
   14    1. HE OR SHE KNOWINGLY ACTS IN A MANNER LIKELY TO BE INJURIOUS TO  THE
   15  PHYSICAL,  MENTAL  OR MORAL WELFARE OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON, OR
   16  DIRECTS OR AUTHORIZES SUCH AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON, TO  ENGAGE  IN
   17  AN  OCCUPATION INVOLVING A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF DANGER TO HIS OR HER LIFE
   18  OR HEALTH; OR
   19    2. HE OR SHE FAILS OR REFUSES TO EXERCISE REASONABLE DILIGENCE IN  THE
   20  CONTROL  OF  SUCH  ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON TO PREVENT HIM OR HER FROM
   21  PHYSICAL, MENTAL OR MORAL INJURY, OR FROM ENGAGING IN ACTS  INVOLVING  A
   22  SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF DANGER TO HIS OR HER LIFE OR HEALTH.
   23    ENDANGERING  THE WELFARE OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON IS A CLASS A
   24  MISDEMEANOR.
   25  S 261.05 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE  OF  AN  ELDERLY  OR  DISABLED  PERSON;
   26             CORROBORATION.
   27    A  PERSON  SHALL  NOT  BE  CONVICTED  OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF AN
   28  ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON, OR OF AN ATTEMPT TO COMMIT  THE  SAME,  UPON
   29  THE  TESTIMONY OF A VICTIM WHO IS INCAPABLE OF CONSENT BECAUSE OF MENTAL
   30  DEFECT OR MENTAL INCAPACITY AS TO CONDUCT THAT CONSTITUTES AN OFFENSE OR
   31  AN ATTEMPT TO COMMIT AN OFFENSE REFERRED TO IN SECTION  130.16  OF  THIS
   32  CHAPTER,  WITHOUT  ADDITIONAL  EVIDENCE  SUFFICIENT  PURSUANT TO SECTION
   33  130.16 OF THIS CHAPTER TO SUSTAIN A CONVICTION OF AN OFFENSE REFERRED TO
   34  IN SECTION 130.16 OF THIS CHAPTER, OR OF AN ATTEMPT TO COMMIT THE SAME.
   35  S 261.06 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE  OF  AN  ELDERLY  OR  DISABLED  PERSON;
   36             DEFENSE.
   37    IN  ANY PROSECUTION FOR ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF AN ELDERLY OR DISA-
   38  BLED PERSON, PURSUANT TO SECTION 261.04 OF THIS ARTICLE:
   39    1. BASED UPON AN ALLEGED FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO PROVIDE PROPER  MEDICAL
   40  CARE OR TREATMENT TO AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON, WHO IS ILL, IT IS AN
   41  AFFIRMATIVE  DEFENSE  THAT THE ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON IS A MEMBER OR
   42  ADHERENT OF AN ORGANIZED CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS GROUP THE TENETS  OF  WHICH
   43  PRESCRIBE  PRAYER  AS  THE PRINCIPAL TREATMENT FOR ILLNESS, AND THAT THE
   44  ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON WAS TREATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH  SUCH  TENETS;
   45  OR
   46    2.  BASED  UPON AN ALLEGED DESERTION OF AN ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSON,
   47  IT IS AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE THAT, WITH THE INTENT THAT  THE  PERSON  BE
   48  SAFE  FROM  PHYSICAL  INJURY AND CARED FOR IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER, THE
   49  DEFENDANT LEFT THE PERSON WITH AN APPROPRIATE PERSON OR  IN  A  SUITABLE
   50  LOCATION  AND  PROMPTLY  NOTIFIED  AN APPROPRIATE PERSON OF THE PERSON'S
   51  LOCATION.
   52  S 261.07 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A VULNERABLE  ELDERLY  PERSON  OR  A
   53             DISABLED PERSON IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
   54    A  PERSON IS GUILTY OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A VULNERABLE ELDERLY
   55  PERSON OR A DISABLED PERSON IN THE SECOND DEGREE WHEN, BEING A CAREGIVER
   56  FOR A VULNERABLE ELDERLY PERSON OR A DISABLED PERSON:
       A. 6555                            28
    1    1. WITH INTENT TO CAUSE PHYSICAL INJURY TO  SUCH  PERSON,  HE  OR  SHE
    2  CAUSES SUCH INJURY TO SUCH PERSON; OR
    3    2. HE OR SHE RECKLESSLY CAUSES PHYSICAL INJURY TO SUCH PERSON; OR
    4    3.  WITH CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE, HE OR SHE CAUSES PHYSICAL INJURY TO SUCH
    5  PERSON BY MEANS OF A DEADLY WEAPON OR A DANGEROUS INSTRUMENT; OR
    6    4. HE OR SHE SUBJECTS  SUCH  PERSON  TO  SEXUAL  CONTACT  WITHOUT  THE
    7  LATTER'S  CONSENT.  LACK  OF CONSENT UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION RESULTS FROM
    8  FORCIBLE COMPULSION OR INCAPACITY TO CONSENT, AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED
    9  IN ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY OF THIS  CHAPTER,  OR  ANY  OTHER  CIRCUM-
   10  STANCES  IN  WHICH THE VULNERABLE ELDERLY PERSON OR DISABLED PERSON DOES
   11  NOT EXPRESSLY OR IMPLIEDLY ACQUIESCE IN THE CAREGIVER'S CONDUCT.
   12    IN ANY PROSECUTION  UNDER  THIS  SUBDIVISION  IN  WHICH  THE  VICTIM'S
   13  ALLEGED  LACK  OF  CONSENT  RESULTS  SOLELY  FROM  INCAPACITY TO CONSENT
   14  BECAUSE OF THE VICTIM'S MENTAL  DISABILITY  OR  MENTAL  INCAPACITY,  THE
   15  PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION 130.16 OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL APPLY. IN ADDITION,
   16  IN ANY PROSECUTION UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION IN WHICH THE VICTIM'S LACK  OF
   17  CONSENT IS BASED SOLELY UPON HIS OR HER INCAPACITY TO CONSENT BECAUSE HE
   18  OR SHE WAS MENTALLY DISABLED, MENTALLY INCAPACITATED OR PHYSICALLY HELP-
   19  LESS, IT IS AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE THAT THE DEFENDANT, AT THE TIME HE OR
   20  SHE ENGAGED IN THE CONDUCT CONSTITUTING THE OFFENSE, DID NOT KNOW OF THE
   21  FACTS OR CONDITIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH INCAPACITY TO CONSENT.
   22    ENDANGERING  THE  WELFARE OF A VULNERABLE ELDERLY PERSON OR A DISABLED
   23  PERSON IN THE SECOND DEGREE IS A CLASS E FELONY.
   24  S 261.08 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A VULNERABLE  ELDERLY  PERSON  OR  A
   25             DISABLED PERSON IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
   26    A  PERSON IS GUILTY OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A VULNERABLE ELDERLY
   27  PERSON OR A DISABLED PERSON IN THE FIRST DEGREE WHEN, BEING A  CAREGIVER
   28  FOR A VULNERABLE ELDERLY PERSON OR DISABLED PERSON:
   29    1.  WITH  INTENT  TO  CAUSE  PHYSICAL INJURY TO SUCH PERSON, HE OR SHE
   30  CAUSES SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY TO SUCH PERSON; OR
   31    2. HE OR SHE RECKLESSLY CAUSES SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY TO SUCH PERSON.
   32    ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A VULNERABLE ELDERLY PERSON OR  A  DISABLED
   33  PERSON IN THE FIRST DEGREE IS A CLASS D FELONY.
   34    S  14.  Section  120.05  of  the  penal law is amended by adding a new
   35  subdivision 13 to read as follows:
   36    13. BEING EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD OR MORE AND WITH INTENT TO CAUSE PHYSICAL
   37  INJURY TO A PERSON SIXTY YEARS OLD OR MORE, OR TO A  PERSON  WHO  HAS  A
   38  PHYSICAL  OR  MENTAL  IMPAIRMENT  THAT SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS A MAJOR LIFE
   39  ACTIVITY, THE DEFENDANT CAUSES SUCH INJURY TO SUCH PERSON.
   40    S 15. Section 135.30 of the penal law is amended to read as follows:
   41  S 135.30 Kidnapping; defense.
   42    In any prosecution for kidnapping, it is an affirmative  defense  that
   43  (a)  the defendant was a relative of the person abducted, and (b) his OR
   44  HER sole purpose was to assume control of such person.
   45    THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY IN  THE  CASE  WHEN  THE  PERSON  WHO  IS
   46  ABDUCTED  IS  SIXTY YEARS OLD OR MORE, OR TO A PERSON WHO HAS A PHYSICAL
   47  OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT THAT SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS A  MAJOR  LIFE  ACTIVITY,
   48  AND THE KIDNAPPING WAS DONE WITH THE INTENTION OF COMPELLING SUCH PERSON
   49  TO TRANSFER AN ASSET TO THE DEFENDANT OR TO A THIRD PARTY.
   50    S  16.  Section  135.45  of  the  penal law is amended by adding a new
   51  subdivision 3 to read as follows:
   52    3. KNOWING THAT HE OR SHE HAS NO LEGAL RIGHT TO DO SO, HE OR SHE TAKES
   53  OR ENTICES ANY PERSON SIXTY YEARS OF AGE OR MORE, OR A PERSON WHO HAS  A
   54  PHYSICAL  OR  MENTAL  IMPAIRMENT  THAT SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS A MAJOR LIFE
   55  ACTIVITY, FROM THE CUSTODY OF ANOTHER PERSON OR INSTITUTION.
       A. 6555                            29
    1    S 17. Subdivision (g) of section 140.10 of the penal law,  as  amended
    2  by chapter 176 of the laws of 2011, is amended and a new subdivision (h)
    3  is added to read as follows:
    4    (g)  where  the property consists of a right-of-way or yard of a rail-
    5  road or rapid transit railroad which has been designated  and  conspicu-
    6  ously posted as a no-trespass railroad zone[.]; OR
    7    (H)  WHICH  IS  A  DWELLING OCCUPIED BY A PERSON SIXTY YEARS OF AGE OR
    8  OLDER, OR A PERSON WHO HAS A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT THAT SUBSTAN-
    9  TIALLY LIMITS A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY.
   10    S 18. Severability. If any provision of this act  or  the  application
   11  thereof  to  any  person  or  circumstances  is  held to be invalid, the
   12  remainder of the act and the application  of  such  provision  to  other
   13  persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
   14    S 19. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however:
   15    (a) the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and
   16  traffic  law made by section five of this act shall not affect the expi-
   17  ration of such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire therewith, when
   18  upon such date the provisions of section six  of  this  act  shall  take
   19  effect;
   20    (b) the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and
   21  traffic law made by section six of this act shall not affect the expira-
   22  tion  of  such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire therewith, when
   23  upon such date the provisions of section seven of this  act  shall  take
   24  effect;
   25    (c) the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and
   26  traffic law made by section seven of this act shall not affect the expi-
   27  ration of such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire therewith, when
   28  upon  such  date  the provisions of section eight of this act shall take
   29  effect;
   30    (d) the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and
   31  traffic law made by section eight of this act shall not affect the expi-
   32  ration of such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire therewith, when
   33  upon such date the provisions of section nine of  this  act  shall  take
   34  effect;
   35    (e) the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and
   36  traffic  law made by section nine of this act shall not affect the expi-
   37  ration of such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire therewith, when
   38  upon such date the provisions of section ten  of  this  act  shall  take
   39  effect;
   40    (f) the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and
   41  traffic law made by section ten of this act shall not affect the expira-
   42  tion  of  such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire therewith, when
   43  upon such date the provisions of section eleven of this act  shall  take
   44  effect; and
   45    (g) the amendments to subdivision 2 of section 1809 of the vehicle and
   46  traffic  law made by section five of this act shall not affect the expi-
   47  ration of such section and shall be deemed to expire therewith.