HF 1971

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/06/2023 07:09pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council;
requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 15.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [15.0147] AGE-FRIENDLY MINNESOTA COUNCIL.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Age-Friendly Minnesota Council established. new text end

new text begin The Age-Friendly
Minnesota Council is created. The purpose of the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council is to
continue the work of the Governor's Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota, established in
Executive Order 19-38 and extended by Laws 2021, chapter 30, article 12, section 5, as
amended in Laws 2022, chapter 7, article 17, section 2, by advising Tribal, state, and local
government agencies and private organizations on the establishment and maintenance of
age-friendly communities. The infrastructure of the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council
established in this section shall be autonomous and independent.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The Age-Friendly Minnesota Council shall consist of no
more than 25 voting members.
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new text begin (b) The membership of the council must include:
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new text begin (1) one member representing a Minnesota Tribal Nation appointed by the Indian Affairs
Council under section 3.922;
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new text begin (2) a minimum of four members appointed by the governor representing age-friendly
cities and counties, age-friendly universities, age-friendly health systems, or age-friendly
public health systems; and
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new text begin (3) up to ten members appointed by the governor representing rural areas outside of the
seven-county metropolitan area, the business community, nonprofit organizations, health
care providers, stakeholders in broadband, and the public at large.
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new text begin (c) In addition to the members in paragraph (b), each of the following state agencies
must appoint an age-friendly Minnesota lead who shall actively participate as a voting
member of the council:
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new text begin (1) Board on Aging;
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new text begin (2) Department of Commerce;
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new text begin (3) Department of Employment and Economic Development;
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new text begin (4) Department of Health;
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new text begin (5) Housing and Finance Agency;
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new text begin (6) Department of Human Services;
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new text begin (7) Department of Transportation;
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new text begin (8) Department of Veterans Affairs;
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new text begin (9) Metropolitan Council; and
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new text begin (10) State Arts Board.
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new text begin (d) Other state agencies may participate as nonvoting members.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Initial membership terms. new text end

new text begin Except for members appointed by the Indian Affairs
Council, the appropriate appointing authority must make initial appointments by October
1, 2023. Initial appointments shall serve staggered terms of four years or as determined by
the secretary of state. Members may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Compensation. new text end

new text begin Members shall be compensated as provided in section 15.0575,
subdivision 3.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin (a) The council may employ or contract with an executive
director as the council deems necessary to perform the council's duties. The director must
have knowledge and demonstrated experience in aging, age-friendly work, and proficiency
in the management and administration of programs relating to these fields.
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new text begin (b) The Minnesota Board on Aging appointee shall serve at all times as the chair of the
Age-Friendly Minnesota Council.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Meetings. new text end

new text begin Meetings of the council are subject to chapter 13D. The council shall
meet publicly no less than six times a year to conduct the duties of the council in subdivision
7.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Domains. new text end

new text begin An age-friendly states and communities framework proposes nine
domains to identify and address barriers to and opportunities for the well-being and
participation of older Minnesotans. Domains are specified to guide the priorities and strategies
of the council and work to advance age-friendly policies and prioritize health, economic,
and social considerations to mitigate and eliminate disparities experienced by older
Minnesotans and their families. The council shall work to advance age-friendly policies.
Domains include but are not limited to:
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new text begin (1) health and social service coordination;
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new text begin (2) transportation access;
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new text begin (3) safe, affordable places to live;
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new text begin (4) reducing social isolation and improving wellness;
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new text begin (5) combating ageism and racism against older adults;
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new text begin (6) accessible outdoor spaces and buildings;
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new text begin (7) communication and information technology access;
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new text begin (8) opportunities to stay engaged and economically productive;
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new text begin (9) emergency preparedness policies; and
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new text begin (10) other domains identified by the council.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Duties of the council. new text end

new text begin The council shall carry out the following duties:
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new text begin (1) maintain enrollment in a nationally recognized network of age-friendly states and
communities;
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new text begin (2) develop a strategic blueprint for an age-friendly Minnesota and implement the cycle
of assessment and continuous improvement developed by a nationally recognized network
of age-friendly states. The council shall complete an initial community assessment and
age-friendly action planning efforts by March 31, 2023. The council must complete the first
cycle of assessment and continuous improvement by March 31, 2027;
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new text begin (3) supplement, inform, and advise spending and policies across multiple state agencies
to ensure state agencies use an age-friendly lens with regards to responding to demographic
shifts;
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new text begin (4) develop relationships with the philanthropic community, nonprofit groups, and
informal groups to explore additional funding to support the council's work;
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new text begin (5) implement community and technical assistance grant programs. The grant programs
must be designed to help communities, including cities, counties, and other municipalities,
nonprofit organizations, health systems, universities, collaborative community efforts,
informal groups, and other such entities build capacity for age-friendly initiatives and
activities, including but not limited to needs assessments, action planning, implementation,
and evaluation. Funded grant proposals must emphasize diversity, equity, inclusion, and
access;
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new text begin (6) support the growth and expansion of work with and engagement of older adults and
their families across the state; and
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new text begin (7) inform assessment, planning, and implementation of age-friendly initiatives across
various communities, particularly those that experience disenfranchisement and lack access
to resources and support.
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new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Age-friendly dashboard. new text end

new text begin The council shall work to inventory and identify
metrics for an all-state-agencies dashboard of age-friendly policies and practices being
utilized across state government agencies. The dashboard may assess current programs and
policies to inform state agencies' progress toward an age-friendly Minnesota.
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new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Central inventory of reports and analyses on aging. new text end

new text begin Within available
appropriations and in collaboration with other organizations, the council shall work to
establish a central inventory of data reports and analyses, including readily available learnings
and lessons, to help policymakers in state, local, and Tribal government agencies,
stakeholders, and the public to identify information and experts on age-related topics to
advance state and local age-friendly initiatives.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; AGE-FRIENDLY MINNESOTA COUNCIL.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2024 and $....... in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general
fund to the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council for operating expenses.
new text end