The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee has advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Carmen Amato, Jr. and Senator Linda Greenstein to assist senior citizens during emergencies. The bipartisan bill aims to enable counties in New Jersey to provide extra support to seniors during natural disasters and other emergencies.
Senator Amato emphasized the challenges seniors face during such events, stating, “New Jersey is no stranger to natural disasters, but during these emergencies, seniors often face challenges that can limit their access to potentially life-saving resources and services.” He further added that the bill encourages seniors to register for additional assistance so counties can better serve vulnerable community members.
The proposed legislation, S-3317, allows counties to create a voluntary registry for senior citizens aged 65 and older. This registry would ensure they receive necessary support during emergencies. Counties implementing this initiative are required to conduct public awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of registration.
Additionally, the legislation permits participating counties to prepare and distribute emergency supply kits to registered seniors. The full text of the legislation is available online.
