HF 936

1st Committee Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/19/2013 07:28pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; specifying criteria for communities for a lifetime;
requiring the Minnesota Board on Aging and the commissioner of employment
and economic development to develop recommendations on the designation of
communities for a lifetime; requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes
2008, section 256.975, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256.975, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Communities for a lifetime. new text end

new text begin (a) It is the policy of the state of Minnesota
to respect and value the past, current, and future contributions to society by our senior
residents. Further, the state of Minnesota recognizes the ongoing importance of seniors to
the state's economic development. In anticipation of the extensive growth in the number
of senior residents who will reside in Minnesota and in anticipation of their increasing
life expectancies, it is the policy of the state of Minnesota to develop communities for
a lifetime with the capacity to offer a welcoming environment to these senior residents,
recognizing them as assets to our state.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision, "communities for a lifetime" means counties,
municipalities, statutory or home rule charter cities, or towns, whose citizens seek to
affirmatively extend to persons ages 65 and older the opportunities, supports, and services
that will enable them to continue to be contributing, civically engaged residents.
new text end

new text begin (c) The opportunities extended within a reasonable distance to senior residents by
communities for a lifetime must include, but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the opportunity to contribute time and talents through volunteer community
service;
new text end

new text begin (2) the opportunity to participate in the paid workforce, with flexibility of hours
and scheduling;
new text end

new text begin (3) the opportunity for socializing, recreation, and wellness activities, including both
physical exercise and mental stimulation;
new text end

new text begin (4) the opportunity to "age in place" and choose among a variety of affordable,
accessible housing options, including single-family housing, independent congregate
senior housing, and senior housing with services;
new text end

new text begin (5) the opportunity to access quality long-term care in the setting of the senior's
own choice; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the opportunity for community-wide mobility and to access public transportation,
including door-to-door assistance and weekend and evening access.
new text end

new text begin (d) The supports and services made available to senior residents by communities for
a lifetime must include, but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) an array of home and community-based services to support seniors' options to
remain in an independent living setting as they age and become more frail;
new text end

new text begin (2) access to contemporary remote medical technology for cost-effective home-based
monitoring of medical conditions;
new text end

new text begin (3) access to nutrition programs, including congregate meal and home-delivered
meal opportunities;
new text end

new text begin (4) access to a comprehensive caregiver support system for family member and
volunteer caregivers, including: (i) technological support for caregivers remaining in the
paid workforce to manage caregiver responsibilities effectively; and (ii) respite care that
offers temporary substitute care and supervision for frail seniors;
new text end

new text begin (5) personal assistance in accessing services and supports, and in seeking financing
for these services and supports;
new text end

new text begin (6) high-quality assisted living facilities within a senior's geographic setting of
choice;
new text end

new text begin (7) high-quality nursing care facilities within a senior's geographic setting of choice;
and
new text end

new text begin (8) the protection offered to vulnerable seniors by a publicly operated adult
protective service.
new text end

new text begin (e) Communities for a lifetime must also:
new text end

new text begin (1) establish an ongoing local commission to advise the community for a lifetime
on its provision of the opportunities, services, and supports identified in paragraphs (c)
and (d);
new text end

new text begin (2) offer training and learning opportunities regarding guidelines for interacting
with seniors for businesses, civic groups, fire and police personnel, and others frequently
interacting with seniors;
new text end

new text begin (3) include in their comprehensive plans provisions addressing the offering of the
opportunities, supports, and services identified in paragraphs (c) and (d);
new text end

new text begin (4) consider the impact of municipal budgets and the creation or modification of
existing programs on senior residents and the community's ability to maintain its status as
a community for a lifetime.
new text end

new text begin (f) The Minnesota Board on Aging, in cooperation with the commissioner of
employment and economic development, shall establish a task force to explore issues
related to communities for a lifetime. The task force must include between 15 and
25 representatives of: rural, suburban, and urban communities; associations of these
communities; seniors ages 65 and older; and civic and nonprofit organizations with the
capacity and competency to engage and meet the needs and interests of senior residents.
The task force shall develop recommendations for a process under which a community
would be able to formally request and receive designation as a community for a lifetime
that offers to resident seniors ages 65 and older the opportunities, services, and supports
identified in paragraphs (c) and (d). The task force shall present its recommendations to
the Minnesota Board on Aging and the commissioner of employment and economic
development by January 31, 2010. The board and the commissioner of employment and
economic development shall transmit these recommendations, along with comments and
any draft legislation necessary to implement communities for a lifetime, to the legislature
by February 28, 2010.
new text end