New York Senate Bill S00232

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Adds elderly persons to disaster preparedness registries; creates a state emergency assistance database; provides that the disaster preparedness commission shall establish the state emergency assistance database; provides that all records relating to SEAD shall be confidential and the commission shall not be liable for any claim based upon a good faith exercise or performance of duty.

Summary

This bill amends New York’s Executive Law to expand county disaster preparedness registries from covering only disabled persons to covering elderly persons as well, and to broaden the circumstances covered to include evacuations and other emergency situations. County chief executives would be required to maintain voluntary registries of elderly or disabled residents who may need assistance during disasters, update those registries at least annually, and continue public notice of the program in local newspapers. The bill also preserves the option for registrants to pre-authorize emergency responders to enter their homes during search and rescue operations if needed for their safety. The bill further creates a new State Emergency Assistance Database (SEAD) administered by the state emergency management commission. SEAD would compile voluntary registrants from county lists and also allow direct state-level registration, then forward that information to the appropriate county registry. The database would be accessible to state, county, federal, and certain voluntary relief organizations for emergency planning, evacuation support, prepositioning supplies, and other response measures. The bill makes all related records confidential, while allowing registrants to access their own files on request, and grants the commission immunity from claims based on good-faith actions or omissions in maintaining or using the database.

Impact

The bill would amend section 23-a of the Executive Law to change county registry requirements, replacing permissive language with mandatory maintenance of a registry of elderly or disabled persons in counties with local disaster preparedness plans. It would also add a new subdivision establishing SEAD, a statewide emergency assistance database, and authorize broader sharing of registry information with emergency response entities for disaster planning and response. The measure affects county chief executives, county health departments or designated agencies, the state emergency management commission, and emergency response organizations, while preserving confidentiality protections for registrants’ information.

Sentiment

The bill appears to be framed as a public-safety and emergency-preparedness measure, with a generally supportive policy rationale centered on protecting vulnerable residents during disasters. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of opposition or formal debate in the available record. The bill’s structure suggests an emphasis on coordination and preparedness rather than controversy, though it does expand state and county responsibilities and data-sharing obligations.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are the expansion of registries to include elderly persons, the creation of a centralized state database, and the sharing of sensitive personal information across multiple agencies and organizations. Privacy and confidentiality concerns may arise from the collection and dissemination of registrant data, even though the bill makes those records confidential. Another possible issue is the mandate placed on counties and the state to maintain, update, and use the registry and database, which could raise administrative and implementation concerns. No specific opposing viewpoints are documented in the provided materials.