Establishes the New York certified retirement community program within the office for the aging; provides for certification by the director of the office for the aging that a community is advantageous for retirees to live in and that such community encourages retirees to reside therein; provides that upon certification, the office for the aging shall provide assistance to the community.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A826
SPONSOR: Gunther (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the elder law, in relation to estab-
lishing a program to encourage retirees to make their homes in New York
state
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To create elder friendly communities in New York though the "New York
certified retirement community act," and the program created under it,
the "New York Livable Integrated Elder Friendly Retirement Communities
(New York LIFE) program."
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Creates a new Article 3 of the Elder Law.
Defines a "Certified retirement community" as a community site (a city,
town, or village, or a portion designated by municipality) that meets
the requirements of this section and is therefore designated as a certi-
fied retirement community by the office for a period of up to five
years. The designation is renewable. Also defines an "Assessment instru-
ment" as a measurement instrument recommended by the retirement communi-
ty advisory committee and approved by the director that will allow a
community site to assess whether it has the factors that qualify it as a
certified retirement community. These factors include whether the commu-
nity characteristics address basic needs, optimize physical and mental
health and well-being, maximize independence for the frail and disabled,
and promote social and civic engagement, and such other quantitative and
qualitative factors as will be attractive to retirees. A list of specif-
ic factors is included. Defines "Retiree" as a person aged fifty five or
older and who is or is planning to retirement from his or her current
employment.
The bill also creates the "Retirement Community Advisory Committee" of
fifteen persons whose purpose is review completed assessment instruments
from community sites and make recommendations to the director, and to
make recommendations concerning the conduct and scope of the New York
certified retirement community program, and for improving its effective-
ness. Members include, ex officio: the secretary of state, the chancel-
lor of SUNY, the commissioners of education, health, labor, children and
families, and taxation. An additional eight appointees include two on
recommendation of the temporary president of the senate, two on recom-
mendation of the speaker of the assembly, one on recommendation of the
minority leader of the senate, and one on recommendation of the minority
leader of the Assembly. All such appointees shall have expertise in the
area of retirement and retirement communities.
PURPOSE:
To promote the community sites chosen as certified retirement communi-
ties as premier retirement destinations for retirees and prospective
retirees, and to assist such cities, towns, villages and portions there-
of in providing and enhancing amenities that retirees will find attrac-
tive and in marketing themselves through such means as joint state-local
and private marketing efforts, technical assistance, networking opportu-
nities and other supports.
DESIGNATION:
Requires the governing body of a city, town or village which is or which
contains a community site to submit an application to the director,
accompanied by a resolution and the completed assessment instrument.
-The advisory committee reviews the application and advises the director
as to whether the community site meets each metric of the required
criteria on the assessment instrument.
-If so, then the director tells the community site sponsors and munici-
palities in writing that it may advertise itself as a New York certified
retirement community program, eligible for supports, advice, and help
pursuant to the New York certified retirement community program.
-If not, the director advises the community site sponsors of deficien-
cies in its application, and suggests means of addressing them.
LOCAL COMMITTEES:
On designation, the community site establishes a retirement community
steering committee and not less than four subcommittees: a "community
amenities subcommittee," which develops a portfolio of community amen-
ities; a "community relations/fundraising subcommittee" to raise funds
required to conduct the program, organize special events, and promote
and coordinate the program with local entities; a "marketing and
promotion subcommittee" which shall develop a marketing plan, and coor-
dinate advertising and public relations; and an "ambassadors subcommit-
tee" which maintains contact with prospective retirees, responds to
inquiries from such prospects, log contacts made, provide tours and
invite prospects to special community events.
ASSISTANCE:
SOFA can provide ongoing assistance to New York certified retirement
community programs, including but not limited to:
-(a) training of local staff and volunteers;
-(b) oversight and guidance in marketing, and updating on national
retirement trends;
-(c) promoting the community through inclusion in the state's national
advertising and public relations campaigns, travel show promotions and
on appropriate state Internet web sites; and
(d) financial assistance for brochures, support material and advertis-
ing.
REPORT:
The director provides an annual report to the Governor and the Legisla-
ture on the designation and status of certified retirement communities
within the state, and their success in attracting and retaining retirees
and in making New York certified retirement communities destination
communities. Such report shall include any recommendations by the direc-
tor for improving or changing the program.
JUSTIFICATION:
Six states that have created programs for Certified Retirement Communi-
ties. The purpose of these programs is to encourage economic develop-
ment. The prospect of 76 million baby boomers nearing retirement has
caught the attention of many states and communities because the economic
benefits to the places where they end up retiring are enormous. States
not only want to encourage new residents to retire in their communities
because of the "mail box" economy (pension checks arriving by mail), but
they also want to keep existing residents. Louisiana estimates that the
economic impact of a retiree household is the equivalent of 3.7 factory
jobs. Texas estimates that each retiree household who moves to the state
creates 1.5 jobs. The 6 states that have publicized their certification
programs are:
-Texas certified retirement community program
-Louisiana certified retirement community program
-Mississippi certified retirement community program
-Kentucky certified community information
-West Virginia Designated Retirement Community
- Retire Tennessee program
As of November 2008 there were about 76 certified retirement communities
in the U.S. Mississippi has 21 certified communities, Kentucky has 8,
the Texas list has 22 (and constantly adding to it), West Virginia has
5, Louisiana has 11 towns. Tennessee has a slightly different program
called "Retire Tennessee" that promotes retirement in 9 selected
communities/areas.
A typical explanation for what the programs hope to accomplish is this
statement from Louisiana: "The Certified Retirement Community is a
program that recognizes places in Louisiana that the state substantiates
as premier locations for retirees (persons aged 55 and older). Local
communities selected for certification receive inclusion in state-level
marketing efforts, technical assistance, networking opportunities and
grant funding to support the program". The programs typically require
that communities attend a training seminar and then complete an exhaus-
tive application.
To qualify as a Certified Retirement City in Mississippi's program each
town must pass through a three month intensive screening process
conducted by Hometown Mississippi Retirement, the state's official reti-
ree attraction program. Each city is evaluated on criteria important to
retirees - affordable cost of living, low taxes, low crime rate, quality
medical care, recreation, educational and cultural opportunities, and
most importantly - a warm, welcoming community.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2015-2016: A1108 referred to Aging/S599 referred to Aging
2013-2014: A1485 referred to Aging/S441 reported to Finance
2011-2012: A399 referred to Aging/S112 referred to Aging
2009-2010: A7067A referred to Aging/S3147 reported to Finance
2007-2008: A1170/S5254 Vetoed 139
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
April 1 after signing, provided that the director shall implement any
rules and regulations and may produce any documents or guidelines neces-
sary to implement the program prior to such date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
826
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, LIFTON, LUPARDO, CRESPO, RAIA -- Multi-
Sponsored by -- M. of A. RIVERA -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to establishing a program to
encourage retirees to make their homes in New York state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
2 the "New York certified retirement community act", and the program
3 created hereunder shall be known as the "New York Livable Integrated
4 Elder Friendly Retirement Communities (New York LIFE) program".
5 § 2. The elder law is amended by adding a new article 3 to read as
6 follows:
7 ARTICLE III
8 NEW YORK CERTIFIED RETIREMENT COMMUNITY PROGRAM
9 Section 310. Definitions.
10 311. The New York certified retirement community program;
11 creation.
12 312. Legislative intent.
13 313. Rules and regulations.
14 314. Designation.
15 315. New York certified retirement community program; local
16 committees.
17 316. New York certified retirement community program; assist-
18 ance.
19 317. Report.
20 318. Assistance of other agencies.
21 § 310. Definitions. As used in this article:
22 1. "Certified retirement community" means any community site that
23 meets the requirements of this article and is therefore designated as a
24 certified retirement community by the office. Such designation shall be
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04042-01-7
A. 826 2
1 for a duration of not more than five years, and may be renewed thereaft-
2 er by making application to such director.
3 2. "Community site" means a city, town, or village, or a portion ther-
4 eof designated by such city, town, or village, which applies to be a
5 certified retirement community.
6 3. "Assessment instrument" means an instrument recommended by the
7 retirement community advisory committee and approved by the director
8 that will allow a community site to assess whether it has the factors
9 that qualify it as a certified retirement community. Such assessment
10 instrument shall provide a community site with a means of evaluating
11 criteria important to retirees, including but not limited to such
12 factors as whether the community characteristics address basic needs,
13 optimize physical and mental health and well-being, maximize independ-
14 ence for the frail and disabled, and promote social and civic engage-
15 ment, and such other quantitative and qualitative factors as will be
16 attractive to retirees. Such factors will be made public for those
17 community sites designated as certified retirement communities. Specific
18 factors considered may include:
19 (a) Local taxes and the effect on retirees when combined with state
20 taxes, tax credits, and other tax programs;
21 (b) Housing opportunities and cost, and the continuum of housing
22 opportunities including but not limited to independent and subsidized
23 housing, assisted living and shared housing opportunities and including
24 housing opportunities which accommodate mobility and safety;
25 (c) Climate;
26 (d) Personal safety;
27 (e) Work opportunities;
28 (f) Health care services and other services along the continuum of
29 services including, but not limited to, home and community based
30 services;
31 (g) Transportation, including whether such transportation is accessi-
32 ble and affordable;
33 (h) Continuing education, including credit and non-credit course
34 opportunities and costs;
35 (i) Sports and recreation opportunities, including active and passive
36 opportunities;
37 (j) The performing arts, festivals, and events;
38 (k) The ability of the service system to aid or enable people to live
39 comfortably and safely at home; and
40 (l) Such other factors as shall be determined by the advisory commit-
41 tee and approved by the director, provided that the director, on advice
42 of the advisory committee, may modify the factors listed in this subdi-
43 vision in favor of other measures, criteria, and metrics.
44 4. "Retirement community advisory committee" or "advisory committee"
45 shall mean an advisory committee of fifteen persons whose purpose shall
46 be to review completed assessment instruments from community sites and
47 make recommendations to the director, and to make recommendations
48 concerning the conduct and scope of the New York certified retirement
49 community program, and for improving its effectiveness, to the director.
50 Members of the advisory committee shall include, ex officio, the follow-
51 ing: the secretary of state, the chancellor of the state university of
52 New York, the commissioner of education, the commissioner of health, the
53 commissioner of the department of labor, the commissioner of children
54 and family services, and the commissioner of taxation and finance. The
55 governor shall appoint an additional eight persons to the advisory
56 committee, of whom two shall be on the recommendation of the temporary
A. 826 3
1 president of the senate, two on the recommendation of the speaker of the
2 assembly, one on the recommendation of the minority leader of the
3 senate, and one on the recommendation of the minority leader of the
4 assembly. All such appointees shall have the expertise in the area of
5 retirement and retirement communities. The governor shall designate a
6 chair of the advisory committee from among the members. The director
7 shall attend meetings but shall not be a voting member. All ex officio
8 members may designate an alternate, who shall have the full power to act
9 on behalf of the official. The work of the committee shall begin as soon
10 as a quorum is established by the appointment of a majority of the
11 members to be designated pursuant to this subdivision, and the failure
12 of any individual or institution to make recommendations to the governor
13 for appointment to the committee shall not be a sufficient reason to
14 delay the work of the committee.
15 5. "Retiree" means a person who is aged fifty-five or older and who is
16 retiring or is planning to retire from his or her current employment.
17 § 311. The New York certified retirement community program; creation.
18 The New York certified retirement community program is hereby created
19 within the office, where it shall be known and may be referred to as the
20 New York Livable Integrated Elder Friendly Retirement Communities (New
21 York LIFE) program. Its purpose shall be to promote the community sites
22 chosen as certified retirement communities as premier retirement desti-
23 nations for retirees and prospective retirees, and to assist such
24 cities, towns, villages and portions thereof in providing and enhancing
25 amenities that retirees will find attractive and in marketing themselves
26 through such means as joint state-local and private marketing efforts,
27 technical assistance, networking opportunities and other supports.
28 § 312. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds and declares
29 that the New York certified retirement community program created pursu-
30 ant to this article in every respect serves an appropriate public
31 purpose of the state and all of its citizens by providing enhanced
32 opportunities for quality of life for seniors and retirees, expansion of
33 community and economic development opportunities, and as a means of
34 enriching the many diverse communities of this state.
35 § 313. Rules and regulations. The director shall adopt rules and regu-
36 lations establishing the manner by which a community site may be
37 initially designated and subsequently retain or renew its status as a
38 certified retirement community. In adopting such rules and regulations,
39 the director shall consult with the advisory committee.
40 § 314. Designation. 1. In order to be designated as a certified
41 retirement program pursuant to this section, the governing body of a
42 city, town or village which is or which contains a community site shall
43 submit an application to the director upon a form established by the
44 director and accompanied by a resolution of such body stating its desire
45 for the community site to be designated as a certified retirement commu-
46 nity, along with the completed assessment instrument and at the option
47 of such governing body or if required by the director, any additional
48 supporting data that shall further explicate the ability of the communi-
49 ty to meet the purposes and goals of the program. In the case of a
50 community site which is located within a village and a town, only the
51 village need submit the application and provide the resolution, and in
52 the case of a community site located in more than one adjacent munici-
53 pality, all such adjacent villages or towns shall submit the application
54 and resolutions.
55 2. The advisory committee shall review the application and all
56 supporting materials and shall advise the director as to whether the
A. 826 4
1 community site meets the requirements of becoming a New York certified
2 retirement community program by meeting or exceeding each metric of the
3 required criteria on the assessment instrument.
4 3. If the advisory committee advises the director that the community
5 site meets the requirements, then the director shall tell the community
6 site sponsors and municipalities in writing that it may advertise itself
7 as a New York certified retirement community program, and will be eligi-
8 ble for support, advice, and help pursuant to the New York certified
9 retirement community program.
10 4. If the advisory committee advices the director that the community
11 site does not meet the requirements of this article, then the director
12 shall notify the community site sponsors and municipalities in writing
13 of the deficiencies in its application. The director shall describe the
14 deficiencies and suggest a means of addressing them.
15 § 315. New York certified retirement community program; local commit-
16 tees. Upon designation as a certified retirement community, the commu-
17 nity site shall establish a retirement community steering committee and
18 not less than four subcommittees as follows:
19 1. A "community amenities subcommittee" which shall develop a portfo-
20 lio containing an unbiased inventory of community amenities as shall
21 further be defined by the director;
22 2. A "community relations/fundraising subcommittee" which shall raise
23 funds required to conduct the program, organize special events, and
24 promote and coordinate the program with local entities;
25 3. A "marketing and promotion subcommittee" which shall develop a
26 marketing plan, and coordinate advertising and public relations; and
27 4. An "ambassadors subcommittee" which shall contact with prospective
28 retirees, respond to inquiries from such prospects, log contacts made,
29 provide tours and invite prospects to special community events.
30 § 316. New York certified retirement community program; assistance. 1.
31 The director shall, within funds appropriated to the New York certified
32 retirement community program, provide ongoing assistance to New York
33 certified retirement community programs, including but not limited to:
34 (a) training of local staff and volunteers;
35 (b) oversight and guidance in marketing, and updating on national
36 retirement trends;
37 (c) promoting the community through inclusion in the state's national
38 advertising and public relations campaigns, travel show promotions and
39 on appropriate state internet websites; and
40 (d) financial assistance for brochures, support material and advertis-
41 ing.
42 2. As appropriate, the director shall seek the help of the advisory
43 committee, or members thereof, in helping to promote and market New York
44 certified retirement community programs. Each individual member of the
45 committee is hereby authorized to provide any such assistance requested.
46 § 317. Report. The director shall provide an annual report to the
47 governor and the legislature on the designation and status of certified
48 retirement communities within the state, and their success in attracting
49 and retaining retirees and in creating New York certified retirement
50 communities destination communities. Such report shall include any
51 recommendations by the director for improving or changing the program.
52 § 318. Assistance of other agencies. The director may seek and shall
53 be entitled to receive from other state agencies such assistance as may
54 be required to perform such director's duties pursuant to this article.
55 § 3. This act shall take effect on the first of April of the calendar
56 year next succeeding the year in which it shall have become a law,
A. 826 5
1 provided that the director of the office for the aging shall implement
2 any rules and regulations and may produce any documents or guidelines
3 necessary to implement the program created by this act prior to such
4 date.
