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 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: A1485
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 Title 2 under 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. Additional features:
*
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:
2011-2012: A399 referred to Aging/S112 referred to Aging
2009-2010: A7067 referred to Aging/S3147 reported to Finance
2007-2008: A1170/S5254 Vetoed 139
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: Savings.
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.
