Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I-Ballston) is teaming up with Sen. Jim Tedisco to introduce a bill that would immediately implement the Personal Caregiver Law that was signed by Gov. Cuomo on March 29, 2021. Walsh will be introducing the bill in the Assembly, while Tedisco will be introducing the bill in the Senate.

Although the Personal Caregiver bill has been signed into law, it will not take effect for another six weeks. The bill introduced by Walsh and Tedisco would eliminate this waiting period and allow nursing home residents to designate two loved ones as personal caregivers.

“It’s unfathomable that family members have gone almost a year without seeing their loved ones in nursing homes or residential care facilities,” said Walsh. “During the debate of Assembly Bill 1052-B in the beginning of March, several of my colleagues brought up the concerns with a 45-day window before the effective date. While the governor and Department of Health have finally updated guidance for nursing home visitation and adult care facilities, this bill remains critical and should have been acted upon immediately following its passage in the Legislature. Instead, it sat idly by from March 3^rd until it’s approval on March 29^th,” said Walsh.

“After an entire year of not being able to hug or care for parents, siblings and grandparents, the unfortunate reality is that these families and their loved ones may have to wait another 45-days. This additional period of time must be eliminated immediately to ensure that residents of these facilities have the consistent and necessary care that can only be provided by those closest to them.

“As always, I am grateful to work alongside Sen. Tedisco on behalf of our constituents and all New Yorkers and hope that our Majority colleagues recognize the importance of passing this piece of legislation.”