TITLE: URGING THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY COMMISSION TO STUDY AND INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE RELATED TO NURSING HOME DEATHS.

WHEREAS, the State reported Coronavirus death toll in New York State nursing homes, estimated between 6,500 to 7,000, is likely a significant undercount; and

WHEREAS, the inordinately high mortality rates to a very vulnerable population indicate that there is a need to examine the State policies that led to poor outcomes in combatting the COVID-19 virus; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill S.8756 (Tedisco) and companion Assembly Bill A.10857 (Kim), will support families still searching for answers by establishing an independent bi-partisan commission to study and investigate the effects of the COVID-19 response on nursing home deaths; and

WHEREAS, the proposed Commission would consist of members appointed by the Majority Leader and Minority Leader in each respective house of the State Legislature, along with a member appointed by the New York State Attorney General’s Office; and

WHEREAS, said Commission shall have subpoena power and shall make a report of its findings and recommendations and remain in full effect for a period of one year after delivery of such report.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, the Steuben County Legislature hereby urges all members of the New York State Senate and Assembly to support S.8756/A.10857, an Act “Establishing a Temporary State Commission to Study and Investigate the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response on Deaths in Nursing Homes”; and be it further

RESOLVED, certified copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to Andrew M. Cuomo, New York State Governor, New York State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224; , New York State Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; Honorable Andrea Stewart- Cousins, NYS Senate Majority Leader, 907 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247; Honorable Robert G. Ortt, Senate Minority Leader, Capitol Building Room 315, Albany, NY 12247; Honorable Carl E. Heastie, Speaker, New York State Assembly, 932 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248; Honorable Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, NYS Assembly Majority Leader, 926 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248; Honorable William A. Barclay, NYS Assembly Minority Leader, Capitol 444, Albany, NY 12248; Honorable James Tedisco, New York State Senator, 515 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247; Honorable , New York State Assemblyman, 419 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248; Honorable Thomas M. O’Mara, New York State Senator, 406 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247; Honorable Philip A. Palmesano, New York State Assemblyman, 320 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248; Honorable Joseph M. Giglio, New York State Assemblyman, 525 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248; Honorable , New York State Assemblywoman, 723 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248; Brooke Harris, President, Inter-County Association of , c/o Allegany County Legislature, 7 Court Street, Belmont, NY 14813-1084; and New York State Association of Counties, 540 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.