Requires counties to maintain a registry of people of all ages with disabilities for the purpose of evacuating and sheltering such persons during disasters.
Summary
S05958 would amend New York’s Executive Law to require counties with local disaster preparedness plans to maintain a registry of people of all ages with disabilities who may need assistance during evacuations and sheltering in disasters. The bill changes existing law from a recommended, voluntary county registry to a mandatory one, and it broadens the covered population by replacing references to “disabled persons” and “special needs” clients with “people of all ages with disabilities.”
The registry would be used to identify residents needing assistance, support resource planning, and help county, state, and federal agencies deliver services during local or state emergencies. Counties would be required to update the registry annually, publish notices about the program at least twice a year, and allow registrants to opt out. The bill also allows registrants to pre-authorize emergency responders to enter their homes during search and rescue operations if needed for safety, and it requires certain county departments and community-based service providers, including home health care providers, to help collect information and educate clients about the program.
Impact
The bill would make county disability disaster registries mandatory in counties with local disaster preparedness plans, replacing the current permissive framework. It would amend section 23-a of the Executive Law to expand the scope of the registry, require annual updates and public notice, direct counties to share registry information with the State Emergency Management Office and other agencies as needed, and preserve confidentiality protections for registry records. It also adds a liability shield for counties and local officials acting in good faith under disaster preparedness plans, and it would take effect on January 1 following enactment.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or vote history, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge support or opposition. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be framed as a public-safety and emergency-preparedness proposal intended to improve assistance for people with disabilities during disasters. The absence of recorded votes or discussion suggests the bill’s political reception cannot be determined from the provided materials.
Contention
The main policy tension in the bill is between emergency preparedness and privacy/autonomy. Supporters would likely emphasize the need for counties to identify residents who may need evacuation or sheltering assistance, while critics may focus on the confidentiality of registry data, the collection of sensitive disability information, and the possibility of government overreach. Another point of possible concern is the shift from a voluntary, recommended registry to a required county program, although the bill still gives individuals the option not to be included and preserves confidentiality protections.
Requires counties to maintain a confidential registry of people of all ages with disabilities for the purpose of evacuating and sheltering such persons during disasters.
Requires counties to maintain a confidential registry of people of all ages with disabilities for the purpose of evacuating and sheltering such persons during disasters.
Establishes a public animal cruelty registry that requires persons over eighteen years of age convicted of animal abuse to register with the division of criminal justice services; requires such registry to contain certain information about each person registered; requires persons registered to pay an annual surcharge of fifty dollars to be used for costs and expenses associated with maintaining the registry.
Requires automatic registration with New Jersey Immunization Information System upon administration of vaccine for certain persons who consent to registration.
Requires automatic registration with New Jersey Immunization Information System upon administration of vaccine for certain persons who consent to registration.