Int. No. 1092
By Council Members Hudson, Hanif, Louis and Restler
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to educating older adults about elder fraud, end of life preparation, and financial literacy
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 2 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-215 to read as follows:
§ 21-215 Elder fraud prevention. a. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
Designated citywide languages. The term “designated citywide languages” has the same meaning as in section 23-1101.
Homebound older adult. The term “homebound older adult” means an older adult who resides at home and who receives department services, including home-delivered meals.
Internet scam. The term “internet scam” means an individual or business’ use of an electronic device, digital tool, email program, or application software to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, bank account numbers, bank routing numbers, personal documents, and identifying information via the internet.
Older adult. The term “older adult” has the same meaning as in section 21-210.
Older adult center. The term “older adult center” has the same meaning as in section 21-210.
Phishing scam. The term “phishing scam” means an individual or business’ illegal use of an electronic device, digital tool, email program, or application software to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, bank account numbers, bank routing numbers, personal documents, and identifying information.
Phone scam. The term “phone scam” means an individual or business’ illegal use of a mobile telephone, cellular device, voice calling application, internet telephone calling feature, or landline telephone to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, bank account numbers, bank routing numbers, personal documents, and identifying information.
b. Printed materials. The department, in consultation with the department of information technology and telecommunications, shall develop and publish a pamphlet to educate older adults about how to prevent, detect, and report common internet scams, phone scams, and phishing scams. Such pamphlet shall be printed in the designated citywide languages, and incorporate accessibility features including the use of large print, legible fonts, clear and accessible language, instructive graphics, and braille. Such pamphlet shall include:
1. A checklist of the core elements of common internet scams, phone scams, and phishing scams;
2. The legal rights of older adults related to internet scams, phone scams, and phishing scams;
3. Contact information for legal resources and legal services organizations that can assist in advising individuals who have fallen victim to internet scams, phone scams, and phishing scams; and
4. Contact information for and the website of the department or other relevant agencies or organizations that an older adult may contact to obtain additional information regarding internet scams, phone scams, and phishing scams.
c. Digital materials. The department shall create a digital version of such pamphlet, including an audible version of the pamphlet.
d. Distribution of materials. 1. The commissioner shall require older adult centers to distribute the pamphlet created pursuant to subdivision b to older adults residing within or entering such centers. The commissioner shall also ensure that such pamphlet is distributed to homebound older adults. Such pamphlet shall be updated and distributed on a quarterly basis or whenever there is new information available about emerging internet scams, phone scams, or phishing scams.
2. The department shall post, and update as necessary, the digital pamphlet created pursuant to subdivision c on the department’s website and make it available in the designated citywide languages.
e. Signage. The commissioner shall require every older adult center to post signage in prominent common areas within every older adult center. Such signage shall include contact information for and the website of the department or other relevant agencies or organizations that an older adult may contact to obtain additional information regarding internet scams, phone scams, and phishing scams.
f. Guidance. The department shall provide quarterly guidance to all older adult centers regarding emerging internet scams, phone scams, and phishing scams that older adults may encounter.
§ 2. Chapter 2 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-216 to read as follows:
§ 21-216 Financial literacy and end of life preparation education. a. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
Designated citywide languages. The term “designated citywide languages” has the same meaning as in section 23-2101.
End of life preparation. The term “end of life preparation” means information regarding legal or financial considerations relevant to end of life, including will preparation and power-of-attorney designations.
Financial literacy. The term “financial literacy” means information regarding financial planning and stewardship, including information about budgeting, investing, and saving.
Older adult. The term “older adult” has the same meaning as in section 21-210.
Older adult center. The term “older adult center” has the same meaning as in section 21-210.
b. Printed materials. The department, in consultation with the department of information technology and telecommunications, shall develop and publish a pamphlet to educate older adults about financial literacy and end of life preparation. Such pamphlet shall be printed in the designated citywide languages, and incorporate accessibility features including the use of large print, legible fonts, clear and accessible language, instructive graphics, and braille. Such pamphlet shall include:
1. A checklist of important financial literacy steps;
2. Contact information for financial planning services organizations that can assist in advising individuals about financial planning;
2. The legal rights of older adults related to end of life preparation;
3. Contact information for legal resources and legal services organizations that can assist in advising individuals in end of life preparation; and
4. Contact information for and the website of the department or other relevant agencies or organizations that an older adult may contact to obtain additional information regarding financial literacy and end of life preparation.
c. Distribution of materials. 1. The commissioner shall require older adult centers to distribute the pamphlet created pursuant to subdivision b to older adults residing within or entering such centers. The commissioner shall also ensure that such pamphlet is distributed to homebound older adults. Such pamphlet shall be updated and distributed on a quarterly basis, or whenever there is new information available.
2. The department shall post, and update as necessary, such pamphlet on the department’s website and make it available in the designated citywide languages.
§ 3. This local law takes effect immediately.
YN
LS # 9089/12480/12945
10/65/2024 10:48 AM