[HISTORY: Adopted by the Suffolk County Legislature 1-24-1995 by L.L. No.
10-1995 (Ch. 421 of the 1985 Code). Amendments noted
where applicable. Uncodified sections of local laws amending these
provisions are included at the end of this chapter.]
A.Â
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that our senior citizens
constitute a treasured resource, as evidenced by the enormous contributions
they have made to our society, to our young people and to our community,
who in their twilight years become the most fragile and vulnerable
segment of our society, thereby deserving of our utmost protection
against individuals or businesses intent on exploiting them for economic
benefit or advantage.
B.Â
This Legislature hereby finds that recent incidents and allegations
revolving around the loss of ownership to real property by senior
citizens only highlights the need for a clear, definitive statement
of the rights of senior citizens to be protected right here in Suffolk
County.
C.Â
Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to establish safeguards
and protections for senior citizens in their dealings with officials
and employees of Suffolk County government.
A.Â
Any senior citizen, age 60 or over, residing within the County of
Suffolk shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be protected against
violence, domestic abuse, criminal conduct, economic exploitation,
health hazards, sickness and unfair dealings by municipal employees.
B.Â
Any County program offered to senior citizens, age 60 or over, which
requires a commitment, pledge or use of financial resources owned
or controlled by said senior citizen, either in the form of cash,
security, stocks, collateral, real property, bonds, personal property,
assignment of benefits, moneys, pension funds, retirement funds or
any other item of pecuniary value, shall be subject to the requirement
that such senior citizen be advised by at least two individuals in
person, duly designated and authorized by the Office for the Aging
in the Division of Human Services (or any successor entity thereto),
as to their legal rights under such a program and as to the financial
consequences of participating in such a program, such advice to be
accompanied by a written notice describing such legal rights and financial
consequences in plain and simple English and in capitalized print.
This designation and authorization may include representatives from
a senior citizens advocacy group, representatives from a contract
agency, individuals assigned from another County department or agency
to work with the Office for the Aging or representatives from a pertinent
nonprofit or not-for-profit corporation committed to working on senior
citizens' issues.[1]
C.Â
No County officer or employee shall, in administering or providing
any such program, or a benefit under such program to a senior citizen
age 60 or over, enter into any contract or business or professional
dealing with said individual senior citizen, directly or indirectly,
in any manner whatsoever related to such program or benefit, except
by operation of law; invest or hold any investment, directly or indirectly,
in any financial, business, commercial or other private transaction
related to such program or benefit, with said senior citizen age 60
or over, which creates a conflict with his or her official duties;
or approve of or enter into any agreement, contract, lease or business,
commercial or professional transaction related to such program or
benefit, with any such senior citizen age 60 or over, that results
in a direct or indirect pecuniary or material benefit accruing to
such County officer or employee as a result of the agreement, contract,
lease or business, commercial or professional transaction with said
individual. This prohibition shall extend to the spouse, brother,
sister, parents, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, parent-in-law, niece
or nephew of such County officer or employee.
This chapter shall apply to actions taken by County officers
or County employees on or after the effective date of this chapter.
A.Â
Any contract, agreement, lease or business, commercial or professional
arrangement willfully and intentionally entered into by such a County
officer or employee, in which there is an interest prohibited by this
chapter, shall be null and void ab initio.