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S 4527

Relates to the taxation of vapor products

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie and 9 co-sponsors

Creates a statewide senior telephone chat-line run by the Division of Aging Services to weekly-match volunteers with adults 60+ to ease loneliness and provide emotional support.

RECOMMITTED TO RULES
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Bill Summary · S 4527

Summary — S 4527 (Introduced Version)

Note: The bill heading provided (“Relates to the taxation of vapor products”) appears inconsistent with the text of the introduced version. This summary describes the introduced bill text supplied, which establishes a senior citizens telephone chat‑line and supplements Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.

Purpose

Create a statewide senior citizens telephone chat‑line administered by the Division of Aging Services (Department of Human Services) to reduce social isolation by connecting older adults who feel lonely with matched volunteer callers for weekly emotional‑support check‑ins.

Key provisions

  • Division of Aging Services must establish and operate the chat‑line.
  • Registration for call recipients:
    • Persons 60 years or older, or their family member/guardian, may register to receive weekly calls.
    • Registration form (prescribed by the division) must collect name, address, interests/hobbies, preferred call times, and other information the division requires.
  • Volunteer registration:
    • Persons age 18 or older may register to serve as volunteers making weekly calls.
    • Volunteers must provide interests/hobbies, place of residence, and any additional information needed for matching.
  • Matching: Division will match volunteers and recipients based on similar interests and geographic location to facilitate compatible weekly telephonic contacts.
  • Confidentiality: The division must ensure confidentiality of the names of registrants and volunteers and the content of the telephone conversations.
  • Rulemaking: The Department of Human Services shall adopt implementing rules and regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Older adults (60+) experiencing isolation or loneliness;
  • Family members/guardians who register on behalf of older adults;
  • Adult volunteers (18+) interested in providing non‑clinical emotional support;
  • Division of Aging Services and Department of Human Services (administration, staffing, and rulemaking).

Implementation and fiscal considerations

  • The bill requires program establishment, intake/registration systems, volunteer management, and confidentiality safeguards. The bill text does not specify funding, staffing levels, background‑check or training requirements for volunteers, or detailed privacy/security protocols; these would be addressed in rulemaking or in subsequent budget actions. The bill was referred to Budget and Revenue in committee actions, indicating fiscal review.

Legislative status (as recorded)

  • Introduced: May 29, 2025 — Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
  • Print number: 4527A (5/20/2025)
  • Referred to/Amended in Budget and Revenue Committee (2/6/2025; 5/20/2025)
  • Ordered to Third Reading (6/12/2025)
  • Committee discharged and recommitted to Rules; RECOMMITTED TO RULES (6/13/2025)

Sponsors and related measures

  • Primary sponsor: Leroy Comrie (with multiple cosponsors listed)
  • Companion bills: A‑4619, A‑5428; prior-session S‑8559

This bill seeks to provide a low‑barrier, statewide mechanism for regular social contact for older adults through volunteer telephone calls, while leaving operational details and funding to administrative rulemaking and budgetary processes.

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

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