Proposed Int. No. 812-A
By Council Members Encarnación, Louis, Narcisse, Hudson, Hanks, Schulman, Farías, Lee, Banks, Aldebol, Brooks-Powers, Wilson, and Zhuang
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to wellness checks on older adults during certain weather events, and to repeal repetitions of the definition of “older adult” in subdivision a of section 21-205.1, subdivision a of section 21-210, subdivision a of section 21-211, subdivision a of section 21-215, and subdivision a of section 21-216 of such code
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Section 21-201 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new subdivision h to read as follows:
h. “Older adult” shall mean a person 60 years of age or older.
§ 2. The definitions of “older adult” in subdivision a of section 21-205.1, subdivision a of section 21-210, subdivision a of section 21-211, subdivision a of section 21-215, and subdivision a of section 21-216 of the administrative code of the city of New York are REPEALED.
§ 3. Chapter 2 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-219 to read as follows:
§ 21-219 Wellness checks on older adults during certain weather events. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Cold weather alert. The term “cold weather alert” means a weather emergency notice issued by an agency or office of the city when the temperature, including wind chill, is forecasted to reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Extreme heat warning. The term “extreme heat warning” means a weather emergency notice issued by an agency or office of the city when the temperature is forecasted to reach at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 1 day, at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 2 consecutive days, or at least 105 degrees Fahrenheit for any duration.
Heat-related emergency. The term “heat-related emergency” has the same meaning as set forth in section 30-116.
b. Protocol. No later than February 1, 2027, the commissioner, in collaboration with the commissioner of emergency management and other relevant agencies as determined by the commissioner, shall develop and implement a protocol to conduct in-person and phone-based wellness checks during a cold weather alert, extreme heat warning, or heat-related emergency for older adults known to the department as lacking the adequate in-home resources and social supports necessary to sufficiently care for themselves during a cold weather alert, extreme heat warning, or heat-related emergency while in their place of residence or, if through periodic review, the department finds that an older adult’s social supports have changed and are inadequate. In establishing such protocol, the department shall determine the frequency of such wellness checks during a cold weather alert, extreme heat warning, or heat-related emergency, and shall consider the resources available to the department and such relevant agencies in conducting such wellness checks. To the extent practicable, wellness checks shall be conducted in the older adult’s preferred language. Wellness checks required pursuant to this subdivision shall be conducted via phone, except that the commissioner shall establish criteria for when a wellness check must be conducted in person. In establishing such criteria, the commissioner shall consider factors such as the number of attempts at contacting an individual via phone and living conditions of such individual known to the department.
c. Wellness check requirements. A wellness check shall include a set of questions developed by the department to gauge an older adult’s well-being, a written determination of the apparent well-being of such older adult, and a report on the conditions in such older adult’s place of residence, including the temperature in such residence to the extent determinable, the presence and functionality of heating or cooling devices or equipment, the availability of food and water, an assessment of the older adult’s ability to leave the home unassisted if needed, and any identified concerns or signs of distress in relation to the well-being of such older adult. While conducting the wellness check, the department shall provide an older adult with relevant information about safety during a cold weather alert, extreme heat warning, or heat-related emergency.
d. Report. No later than March 1, 2027, the commissioner shall submit to the council a report describing the protocol established pursuant to subdivision b of this section, including the criteria for when a wellness check must be conducted in person. The commissioner shall submit updated reports as necessary whenever such protocol or criteria are updated.
§ 4. This local law takes effect immediately.
CP
LS # 22909
7/9/2026 10:10AM