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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 370-08
September 22, 2008

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION EXPANDING ELDER ABUSE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The second bill before me is Introductory Number 737-A, sponsored by Council members Vacca, Arroyo, Addabbo, Avella, Brewer, Dickens, Fidler, Foster, Gennaro, Gentile, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Liu, McMahon, Mendez, Monserrate, Nelson, Recchia, Sanders, Stewart, Weprin, White, Katz, Martinez, Palma, Gerson, Vann, Vallone, Felder, Dilan, Eugene, Garodnick, Jackson, Mealy, Sears, Como, Ignizio and Oddo. Introductory Number 737-A strengthens our ability to prevent the abuse of the elderly.

"Introductory Number 737-A requires the Department for the Aging to expand their elder abuse training programs by mandating that such programs train senior service providers every three years in the detection and reporting of elder abuse, and the counseling of elder abuse victims. It also mandates that the Department require senior centers to hold at least two educational sessions per year during which members and guests will receive counseling regarding elder abuse prevention and awareness and be instructed on how to detect and report instances of elder abuse. Finally, the Department will post signage within each senior center that directs those in need of information regarding elder abuse detection, reporting, counseling and services to call either 3-1-1 or the Department's Elderly Crime Victims Resource Center.

"This legislation represents an important step in identifying elder abuse and in protecting some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers. 

"I would like to thank Department for the Aging Commissioner Edwin Mendez-Santiago and his staff for their work on this bill. I would also like to thank the Council for approving this legislation."







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