1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; specifying criteria for communities for a lifetime; 
1.3 	requiring the Minnesota Board on Aging to develop a designation process and 
1.4 	funding sources for these communities; requiring a report;amending Minnesota 
1.5 	Statutes 2008, section 256.975, by adding a subdivision.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256.975, is amended by adding a 
1.8 	subdivision to read:
1.9 		Subd. 10.Communities for a lifetime. (a) It is the policy of the state of Minnesota 
1.10 	to respect and value the past, current, and future contributions to society by our senior 
1.11 	residents.  Further, the state of Minnesota recognizes the ongoing importance of seniors to 
1.12 	the state's economic development.  In anticipation of the extensive growth in the number 
1.13 	of senior residents who will reside in Minnesota and in anticipation of their increasing 
1.14 	life expectancies, it is the policy of the state of Minnesota to develop communities for 
1.15 	a lifetime with the capacity to offer a welcoming environment to these senior residents, 
1.16 	recognizing them as assets to our state.
1.17 	(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "communities for a lifetime" means partnerships 
1.18 	of small cities, counties, municipalities, statutory or home rule charter cities, or towns, 
1.19 	whose citizens seek to affirmatively extend to persons ages 65 and older the opportunities, 
1.20 	supports, and services that will enable them to continue to be contributing, civically 
1.21 	engaged residents.
1.22 	(c) The opportunities extended within a reasonable distance to senior residents by 
1.23 	communities for a lifetime must include, but are not limited to:
1.24 	(1) the opportunity to contribute time and talents through volunteer community 
1.25 	service;
2.1 	(2) the opportunity to participate in the paid workforce, with flexibility of hours 
2.2 	and scheduling;
2.3 	(3) the opportunity for socializing, recreation, and wellness activities, including both 
2.4 	physical exercise and mental stimulation;
2.5 	(4) the opportunity to "age in place" and choose among a variety of affordable, 
2.6 	accessible housing options, including single-family housing, independent congregate 
2.7 	senior housing, and senior housing with services;
2.8 	(5) the opportunity to access quality long-term care in the setting of the senior's 
2.9 	own choice; and
2.10 	(6) the opportunity for community-wide mobility and to access public transportation, 
2.11 	including door-to-door assistance and weekend and evening access.
2.12 	(d) Communities for a lifetime must demonstrate the availability of supports and 
2.13 	services for senior residents that include, but are not limited to:
2.14 	(1) an array of home and community-based services to support seniors' options to 
2.15 	remain in an independent living setting as they age and become more frail;
2.16 	(2) access to contemporary remote medical technology for cost-effective home-based 
2.17 	monitoring of medical conditions; 
2.18 	(3) access to nutrition programs, including congregate meal and home-delivered 
2.19 	meal opportunities;
2.20 	(4) access to a comprehensive caregiver support system for family member and 
2.21 	volunteer caregivers, including: (i)	technological support for caregivers remaining in the 
2.22 	paid workforce to manage caregiver responsibilities effectively; and  (ii)	respite care that 
2.23 	offers temporary substitute care and supervision for frail seniors;
2.24 	(5) personal assistance in accessing services and supports, and in seeking financing 
2.25 	for these services and supports;
2.26 	(6) high-quality assisted living facilities within a senior's geographic setting of 
2.27 	choice;
2.28 	(7) high-quality nursing care facilities within a senior's geographic setting of choice; 
2.29 	and
2.30 	(8) the protection offered to vulnerable seniors by a publicly operated adult 
2.31 	protective service.
2.32 	(e) Communities for a lifetime must also:
2.33 	(1) establish an ongoing local commission to advise the community for a lifetime 
2.34 	on its provision of the opportunities, services, and supports identified in paragraphs (c) 
2.35 	and (d);
3.1 	(2) offer training and learning opportunities for businesses, civic groups, fire and 
3.2 	police personnel, and others frequently interacting with seniors on appropriate methods of 
3.3 	interacting with seniors;
3.4 	(3) incorporate into its local plan under sections 366.10, 394.232, and 462.353, 
3.5 	elements that address the forecast change in population age structure including, but 
3.6 	not limited to, land use, housing, public facilities, transportation, housing, and capital 
3.7 	improvement plans; provisions addressing the availability of the opportunities, supports, 
3.8 	and services identified in paragraphs (c) and (d); and strategies to develop physical 
3.9 	infrastructure responsive to the needs of the projected population.
3.10 	(f) In implementing this subdivision, the Minnesota Board on Aging shall:
3.11 	(1) consult with, and when appropriate, work through the area agencies on aging;
3.12 	(2) consult with the commissioners of human services, health, and employment and 
3.13 	economic development, and the League of Minnesota Cities and other organizations 
3.14 	representing local units of government; and
3.15 	(3) review models of senior-friendly community initiatives from other states and 
3.16 	organizations.
3.17 	(g) The Board on Aging shall report to the legislature by February 28, 2010, with 
3.18 	recommendations on (1) a process for communities to request and receive the designation 
3.19 	of community for a lifetime, and (2) funding sources to implement these communities.