WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 10291

Establishes the caregiver coordinating commission

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rebecca Seawright

Establishes a 12-member Caregiver Coordinating Commission to review and advise on caregiver support programs, barriers, and funding to improve access and effectiveness.

REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 10291

Summary of Bill A. 10291-A (2025-2026) — New York

Purpose and intent

This bill proposes the creation of a statewide Caregiver Coordinating Commission to review, evaluate, and improve state planning, development, and implementation of caregiver support services, including respite care, for informal family caregivers across the lifespan.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of a commission

    • A new Caregiver Coordinating Commission is established to study and evaluate caregiver support statewide.
    • Purpose: review programs, identify barriers, examine best practices, and provide policy and funding recommendations to improve accessibility and effectiveness of caregiver services.

  • Composition and appointments

    • The commission would have 12 members with relevant caregiving or related service experience.
    • Appointment allocations:
    • 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly
    • 1 member appointed by the Assembly’s Minority Leader
    • 2 members appointed by the Temporary President of the Senate
    • 1 member appointed by the Senate’s Minority Leader
    • 3 members appointed by the Governor
    • 1 member: Director of the Office for the Aging (serves as chair) or their designee
    • 1 member: Commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services or designee
    • 1 member: Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities or designee
    • All appointments must be made within 60 days of the act’s effective date.

  • Compensation and expenses

    • Commission members will not receive compensation for services; they may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing duties.

  • Scope of study and duties

    • Review existing programs and services for informal family caregivers (including state-supported programs).
    • Evaluate effectiveness and accessibility of such programs.
    • Identify challenges caregivers face in accessing programs and support services, including respite care.
    • Review best practices and models used in other states related to caregiver support and respite services.
    • Provide recommendations to improve accessibility and effectiveness, including policy recommendations and funding priorities.

  • Definitions

    • “Informal family caregiver” is defined to align with the term “informal caregiver” as used in Elder Law.

  • Reporting

    • The commission must report findings, conclusions, and recommendations to:
    • Governor
    • Temporary President of the Senate
    • Senate Minority Leader
    • Speaker of the Assembly
    • Assembly Minority Leader
    • The report is due no later than one year after the act’s effective date.

Who would be affected

  • Informal family caregivers across New York State (broadly, those who provide unpaid care to relatives or friends across the lifespan).
  • State agencies and departments involved in caregiver services (Office for the Aging; Office of Children and Family Services; Office for People with Developmental Disabilities) through collaboration and potential policy/funding changes.
  • Legislators and executive leadership who rely on the commission’s findings to inform policy decisions and funding priorities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.
  • Appointments deadline: All 12 members must be appointed within 60 days of the act’s effective date.
  • Reporting deadline: Final findings and recommendations due within 1 year of the act’s effective date.
  • Committee process: Referred to Aging; amended and recommitted; reported with amendments to Ways and Means for fiscal analysis (as indicated by action history).

Potential impact (policy and funding)

  • Establishes a formal, cross-branch advisory body to streamline caregiver support policy.
  • Could influence future state funding allocations for caregiver programs, including respite care.
  • Aims to improve access and effectiveness of services for informal caregivers by identifying barriers and adopting best practices from other states.

Note: The bill designates no compensation for commission members but allows reimbursement of expenses, which may influence participation and operational costs.

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

Sign in to ask a question.