NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A4833
SPONSOR: Abinanti
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to establishing the aging in
place council
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To establish a council to study and provide recommendations to help New
Yorkers age in place.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill establishes the aging in place council, consisting
of the director of the state office for the aging, the commissioner of
health, the superintendent of financial services, eleven members to be
appointed by the governor, three each recommended by the temporary pres-
ident of the senate and speaker of the assembly, and one each recom-
mended by the minority leader of the senate and minority leader of the
assembly. The governor shall appoint three members on the recommenda-
tions of local area agencies on aging, who they consider represent their
membership and are reflective of state geography and needs.
Section 1 further provides that the council will study and provide
recommendations for improvements to promote older persons aging in
place. Areas of focus will include, but not be limited to, access to
outdoor spaces and buildings, affordable transportation options, housing
options for older residents, opportunities for older residents to
participate in community activities, programs for older persons to
promote wellness, employment opportunities and training designed for
older persons, access to technology and information sources to connect
older residents with resources, protections against elder abuse, home
medical care and reducing costs. The council shall issue a report on
their findings and recommendations by October 1, 2022.
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Retired
Persons (AARP) the number of Americans who want to remain in their homes
for the rest of their lives, to "age in place", is greater than 80%.
The Center for Disease control defines "aging in place" as "the ability
to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and
comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level."
Although New York was recently designated the first "Age-Friendly State"
in the Nation by AARP and the World Health Organization, there are still
seniors who have difficulty aging in place. According to the U.S. census
data, more than 1 million people have left the state since 2010, more
than any other state during that period. This out-migration is largely
driven by older residents, with the 55-64 and 65 or older age groups.
Often as people age, the houses they have raised families in no longer
meet their changing needs. Whether for physical, monetary or geographic
reasons, much of the aging population will face this issue. Moving from
one's home may mean leaving a comfortable living space, family, a famil-
iar community and memories. In addition, many feel a loss of control
when giving up their home. Leaving one's home out of necessity rather
than choice can lead to a loss of dignity, quality of life and independ-
ence and a sense of security. Additionally, as health care costs rise
and stays at hospitals or even transitional care gets shorter, the aging
population must decide how they want to spend their life's savings.
The Aging in Place Council, will examine issues such as affordable
transportation and housing options, wellness programs, protections
against elder abuse, home medical care and reducing costs, which can
help support seniors remaining in their homes rather than moving. Our
seniors have dedicated years to building and improving our communities,
and it is critical that we do everything we can to enable them to stay
within their own homes.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-20: A3240 referred to aging; same as S1300 (Serino) referred to
aging; 2017-18: A10069-A referred to aging;-same as S7949-B (Serino)
referred to aging
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4833
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 8, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI, GALEF, BARRON, ENGLEBRIGHT, DICKENS,
COLTON, NIOU, STERN, TAYLOR, MONTESANO, BYRNE, WALLACE, ZEBROWSKI,
J. RIVERA, GUNTHER, REYES, EPSTEIN, BRONSON, TAGUE, NORRIS, ASHBY,
JONES, SIMON, REILLY, SALKA, MIKULIN, FALL, GRIFFIN, DARLING, RODRI-
GUEZ, RICHARDSON, CRUZ, M. MILLER, STECK, DeSTEFANO -- Multi-Sponsored
by -- M. of A. COOK, DE LA ROSA, J. M. GIGLIO, MANKTELOW -- read once
and referred to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to establishing the aging in
place council
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The elder law is amended by adding a new section 216-a to
2 read as follows:
3 § 216-a. Aging in place council. 1. Definition. For the purposes of
4 this section, the term "council" shall mean the aging in place council
5 convened by the governor pursuant to this section.
6 2. Membership. (a) The aging in place council shall consist of the
7 director, who shall serve, ex officio, as the chair of the council and
8 who shall designate the vice chair, the commissioner of health and the
9 superintendent of financial services who shall serve ex officio and who
10 may designate representatives to act on their behalf, and eleven members
11 appointed by the governor.
12 (b) The governor shall appoint eight members to the council on the
13 recommendation of legislative leaders as follows:
14 (1) the temporary president of the senate shall recommend three
15 members;
16 (2) the speaker of the assembly shall recommend three members;
17 (3) the minority leader of the senate shall recommend one member; and
18 (4) the minority leader of the assembly shall recommend one member.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01470-01-1
A. 4833 2
1 (c) The governor shall appoint three members based on the recommenda-
2 tions of local area agencies on aging, who they consider to represent
3 their membership reflective of state geography and needs.
4 3. Compensation. The members of the council, except those who serve ex
5 officio, shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred
6 in the performance of their duties under this section but shall receive
7 no additional compensation for services rendered pursuant to this
8 section.
9 4. Purpose. The purpose of the council shall be to study and provide
10 recommendations on areas that could be improved to promote older persons
11 aging in place, including, but not limited to:
12 (a) access to outdoor spaces and buildings;
13 (b) affordable transportation options;
14 (c) housing options for older residents;
15 (d) opportunities for older residents to participate in community
16 activities;
17 (e) programs for older persons such as those promoting nutrition,
18 health and wellness, as well as programs for caregivers;
19 (f) employment opportunities and training designed for older persons;
20 (g) access to technology and information sources that can connect
21 older residents with needed resources;
22 (h) protections against elder abuse;
23 (i) home medical care; and
24 (j) reducing costs.
25 5. Meetings. The council, on call of the chair, shall meet at least
26 twice each year and at such other times as may be necessary. The council
27 may establish quorum requirements and other rules and procedures regard-
28 ing conduct of its meetings and other affairs.
29 6. Report. The council shall prepare and issue a report on the coun-
30 cil's findings and recommendations by October first, two thousand twen-
31 ty-two to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the
32 speaker of the assembly.
33 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
34 have become a law.