SF 2490

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/16/2018 02:47pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring the commissioner of health to convene the older adult
social isolation working group; appropriating money; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin OLDER ADULT SOCIAL ISOLATION WORKING GROUP.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; members. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health or the
commissioner's designee shall convene an older adult social isolation working group that
consists of no more than 35 members including, but not limited to:
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new text begin (1) one person diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia;
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new text begin (2) one caregiver of a person diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia;
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new text begin (3) the executive director of Giving Voice;
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new text begin (4) one representative from the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center;
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new text begin (5) one representative from AARP Minnesota;
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new text begin (6) one representative from Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, Minneapolis/St. Paul;
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new text begin (7) one representative from the Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter;
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new text begin (8) one representative from the American Heart Association Minnesota Chapter;
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new text begin (9) one representative from the Minnesota HomeCare Association;
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new text begin (10) two representatives from long-term care trade associations;
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new text begin (11) one representative from the Minnesota Rural Health Association;
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new text begin (12) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (13) one representative from the Minnesota Board on Aging;
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new text begin (14) one representative from the Commission of Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing
Minnesotans;
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new text begin (15) one representative from the Minnesota Nurses Association;
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new text begin (16) one representative from the Minnesota Council of Churches;
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new text begin (17) one representative from the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging;
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new text begin (18) one representative from the Minnesota Association of Senior Services;
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new text begin (19) one representative from Metro Meals on Wheels;
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new text begin (20) one rural Minnesota geriatrician or family physician;
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new text begin (21) at least two representatives from the University of Minnesota;
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new text begin (22) one representative from one of the Minnesota Area Agencies on Aging;
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new text begin (23) at least two members representing Minnesota rural communities;
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new text begin (24) additional members representing communities of color;
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new text begin (25) one representative from the National Alliance on Mental Illness; and
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new text begin (26) one representative from the Citizens League.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties; recommendations. new text end

new text begin The older adult social isolation working group
must assess the current and future impact of social isolation on the lives of Minnesotans
over age 55. The working group shall consider and make recommendations to the governor
and chairs and members of the health and human services committees in the house of
representatives and senate on the following issues:
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new text begin (1) the public health impact of social isolation in the older adult population of Minnesota;
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new text begin (2) identify existing Minnesota resources, services, and capacity to respond to the issue
of social isolation in older adults;
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new text begin (3) needed policies or community responses, including but not limited to expanding
current services or developing future services after identifying gaps in service for rural
geographical areas;
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new text begin (4) needed policies or community responses, including but not limited to the expansion
of culturally appropriate current services or developing future services after identifying
gaps in service for persons of color; and
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new text begin (5) impact of social isolation on older adults with disabilities and needed policies or
community responses.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Meetings. new text end

new text begin The working group must hold at least four public meetings beginning
August 10, 2018. To the extent possible, technology must be utilized to reach the greatest
number of interested persons throughout the state. The working group must complete the
required meeting schedule by December 10, 2018.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health must submit a report and the working
group's recommendations to the governor and chairs and members of the health and human
services committees in the house of representatives and senate no later than January 14,
2019.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The working group sunsets upon delivery of the required report to the
governor and legislative committees.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $75,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of health for the costs related to the salary of an independent, professional facilitator as well
as printing and duplicating costs and expenses related to meeting management for the
working group.
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