File #: T2026-1630    Version: * Name: Requiring the department for the aging to maintain non-digital access to forms and services.
Type: Introduction Status: Introduced
Committee: Committee on Aging
On agenda: 4/16/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department for the aging to maintain non-digital access to forms and services
Sponsors: Linda Lee
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Summary: This bill would require the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) to make any applications, forms, benefits, program enrollment, informational resource, or services which are offered by DFTA in an online or digital format accessible through non-digital means, including by phone and in paper form in the designated citywide languages. The DFTA Commissioner (the “Commissioner”) would be permitted to review DFTA services and submit in writing to the Mayor and to the Speaker of the Council a determination as to whether any such service is necessary to provide in non-digital formats, and the rationale for the Commissioner’s determination. The Commissioner would then be allowed to implement changes pursuant to a determination no earlier than 90 days following the written submission of such determination.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No., 2. Int. No.

Int. No.

 

By Council Member Lee

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department for the aging to maintain non-digital access to forms and services

 

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 21-218 to read as follows:

§ 21-218 Non-digital access to forms and services. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Covered services. The term “covered services” means any application, form, benefit, program enrollment, informational resource, or service offered or administered by the department which is made available to the public.

b. Non-digital access to forms and services. The department shall ensure that covered services which are made available online or in a digital format are accessible at the same level of functionality through non-digital means, including by phone and in paper form. Access to covered services by phone shall include the ability to complete applications and receive information through phone support, and the ability to receive guidance on covered services and request mailed materials in paper form. Covered services in paper form shall be made available at older adult centers as defined in section 21-210, and shall be made available by mail upon request.

c. Accessibility. Access to covered services pursuant to subdivision b of this section shall be provided in the designated citywide languages as defined in section 21-211.

d. Review. The commissioner may review covered services and submit in writing to the mayor and the speaker of the council any determinations as to whether any such services are necessary to provide in non-digital formats, and the rationale for such determinations. No earlier than 90 days following such written submission, the commissioner may implement changes to the accessibility of covered services pursuant to such determination.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.

CP

LS #21026

3/31/2026