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Bill

S 10163

Directs the department of health to conduct a study of recreational activity programming in nursing homes

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare

The bill directs NY DOH to study and report on nursing home recreational programming, focusing on accessibility, inclusivity, multilingual services, and logistics.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · S 10163

Summary of Bill S 10163 (2025-2026 Session) – New York

Title

Directs the Department of Health to conduct a study of recreational activity programming in nursing homes

Purpose and Intent

  • To require the New York Department of Health (DOH) to study and report on recreational activity programming in nursing homes.
  • The study aims to assess how accessible and inclusive these programs are for residents, including those with physical or cognitive impairments, and to identify enhancements related to multilingual services, transportation, and scheduling.

Key Provisions

Section 1 – Study and Data Collection

  • DOH must conduct a study and prepare a report on recreational activity programming in nursing homes.
  • The study should evaluate:
    • Accessibility and inclusivity of programming
    • Accommodations for residents with physical or cognitive impairments
    • Availability of multilingual services
    • Transportation for off-site programming
    • Scheduling considerations
  • Data to be collected (at minimum) on facility characteristics:
    1. Size of the facility
    2. Geographic location
    3. Ownership type
    4. For-profit vs. non-profit status
    5. Staffing and administrative capacity, including presence and qualifications of activities directors
    6. Staffing ratios
    7. Budget allocations
    8. Structure of activity programming (e.g., use of written activity calendars, frequency and types of activities offered, including physical or social programming)
  • Definitions:
    • “Nursing home” refers to the definition in Public Health Law § 2801.
    • “Recreational activity” includes a range of structured physical and social interventions as determined by DOH.

Section 2 – Reporting Deadline

  • DOH must issue a report detailing the study findings within one year of the act’s effective date.
  • The report should be submitted to:
    • The Governor
    • The Temporary President of the Senate
    • The Speaker of the Assembly

Section 3 – Effective Date

  • The act takes effect immediately upon enacting.

Who is Affected

  • Nursing homes regulated under New York law (as defined by Public Health Law § 2801).
  • DOH as the implementing agency conducting the study.
  • Residents of nursing homes who participate in recreational activities, as the study focuses on accessibility and inclusivity of programming.

Potential Impact

  • Establishes a formal requirement to assess and improve recreational programming in nursing homes.
  • Could inform future policy or regulatory changes aimed at:
    • Enhancing accessibility for residents with disabilities
    • Expanding multilingual programming
    • Improving off-site activity logistics and scheduling
    • Guiding budget and staffing decisions (e.g., activities directors and ratios)
  • Provides a data-driven baseline on current practices across facilities (size, ownership, location, staffing, budgets, and programming structure).

Timeline and Process

  • Introduced May 1, 2026; referred to the Health Committee.
  • DOH has up to one year from enactment to complete the study and issue the report to the Governor and legislative leaders.

Notes

  • The bill is a study-and-report mandate, not a regulatory change in itself.
  • Specific data points and definitions are laid out to standardize the assessment across facilities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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