NY S05461

Changes homeowner natural disaster preparedness, home safety and loss prevention courses from optional review to mandatory approval by the Superintendent of Financial Services before they can be offered

Requires courses to provide information on actions before, during, and after natural disasters, risk reduction strategies, and installation of equipment to mitigate property damage, personal injury, or loss of life

Mandates the Department of Financial Services to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for these disaster preparedness and loss prevention courses

Requires the department to submit a request for state funding by March 1, 2026, to implement the courses, with no expenditures allowed until the superintendent approves a program and fiscal plan

The approved plan must include specific criteria for evaluating RFP responses and establish uniform course and cost standards