How do I find information on the law regarding a person's home if they go to a nursing home?

Stepfather is 85 and partially paralyzed. He wants to go into a nursing home but he owns a home without any mortgage. What are the laws regarding how and when the state could take the house. Where can I find these laws?
I am not an heir nor do I want to be. My SF is 85 & disabled, Mom is 68 & it is getting harder for her to take care of him. He says he wants to go into a home but they would kick my Mom out of the house and take it to pay for the cost. In some states, they can't do that if a relative is in the house that was there prior to the person going into the nursing home. I am trying to find out what the law in NY says. Ca anyone lead me in the right direction without the cost of a lawyer at the moment?

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