Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/009.
Whenever used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:
a. "Commissioner" shall mean the commissioner of the department for the aging.
b. "Department" shall mean the department for the aging.
c. "Regularly schedules activities" shall mean all activities which are funded in whole or in part by the city of New York.
d. "Senior center" shall mean facilities operated by the city of New York or operated by an entity that has contracted with the department to provide services to senior citizens on a regular basis including, but not limited to meals, recreation and counseling.
e. "Elder abuse" shall mean any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person holding a trusting relationship with a vulnerable older adult, which causes harm or a serious risk of harm to that older adult including physical, emotional, sexual, or financial harm, or harm related to identity theft, or neglect, abandonment or confinement.
f. "Social adult day care" has the same meaning as set forth in section two hundred fifteen of the elder law and any regulations promulgated by the director of the office for the aging pursuant to such section.
(Am. L.L. 2015/009, 1/17/2015, eff. 7/14/2015; Am. 2021 N.Y. Laws Ch. 655, 12/6/2021, eff. 12/6/2021)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/009 and L.L. 2015/009.
a. The commissioner shall require that every senior center adopt a statement of the rights of all senior citizens who participate in activities and take advantage of services provided by such senior center and treat all senior citizens in accordance with the provisions of such statement.
b. Contents of bill of rights. Such statement of rights shall include the following:
1. Every senior citizen who otherwise qualifies for participation shall have the right to participate as a member of a senior center.
2. Every senior citizen shall have the right to participate in all regularly scheduled activities and take advantage of services provided by the center to the extent that funding and space limitations permit.
3. Every senior center shall have a senior advisory council which will be comprised of senior citizens from the senior center membership. Such advisory council shall advise the senior center's management of the needs of the senior citizens.
4. Every senior citizen attending a senior center's regularly scheduled meal period shall be offered a balanced and nutritious meal to the extent that funding and space limitations permit. Those senior citizens that do not receive a balanced and nutritious meal shall be offered nourishment during a senior center's regularly scheduled meal period to the extent that funding permits.
5. Every senior citizen attending a senior center shall have the opportunity to make a financial contribution which shall be voluntary and anonymous and shall be used by the senior center to enhance and increase services to senior citizens.
6. Every senior citizen shall be treated courteously, fairly and respectfully at a senior center.
7. Every senior citizen shall have the right not to be discriminated against based upon his or her actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship status, in violation of the human rights law of the city of New York.
8. Every senior citizen shall have the right to be informed of those senior centers that are handicapped accessible.
9. Every senior citizen shall have the right to present grievances on behalf of himself or herself to the senior center's staff, board of directors or executive committee, or elected or other government officials, without fear of reprisal from officers or employees of the senior center.
c. Posting required. Every senior center shall post conspicuously:
(i) in or near the entrance to such center a sign that states the rights of senior citizens as provided in this section;
(ii) all regularly scheduled activities as defined in this section; and
(iii) the department's phone number.
d. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the department's authority to promulgate rules regarding matters within its jurisdiction pursuant to applicable law.
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/009.
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