BILL NUMBER: S713

SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act relating to establishing the aging in place task force, and
providing for its powers and duties

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To establish an aging in place task force to study how the state can
encourage aging in place.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill establishes the aging in place task force with the
office for the aging to study how the state can encourage aging in-place
including, but not limited to, an examination of:

(a) infrastructure and transportation improvements,

(b) zoning changes to facilitate home care,
              

(c) enhanced nutrition programs and delivery options,

(d) improved fraud and abuse protections,

(e) expansion of home medical care options,

(f) tax incentives, and

(g) incentives for private insurance.

Section 2 provides that the aging in place task force shall consist of a
total of fourteen members and shall include: the commissioner of the
state office of temporary and disability assistance or his or her desig-
nee; the director of the office for the aging or his or her designee;
the chairperson and ranking member of the standing senate and assembly
committees of aging or his or her designee; two people appointed by the
governor; two people appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
; one person appointed by the minority leader of the senate; two people
appointed by the speaker of the assembly; and one person appointed by
the minority leader of the assembly.

The chairperson and ranking members of the standing senate and assembly
committees of aging and the appointees of the temporary president of the
senate, majority leader of the senate, minority leader of the senate,
speaker of the assembly, majority leader of the assembly and minority
leader of the assembly may be members of the legislature.

All appointments to the aging in place task force shall be made no later
than thirty days after the effective date of this act and any vacancy
shall be filled by the appointing authority.

Section 3 provides that there shall be two chairpersons selected from
among the members of the aging in place task force.  One chairperson
shall be selected by the temporary president of the senate and one
chairperson shall be selected by the speaker of the assembly. Such
chairperson shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which
shall be held no later than sixty days after the effective date of this
act.

Section 4 provides that the members of the aging in place task force
shall serve without compensation, except that members shall be allowed
their necessary and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their
duties under this act.

Section 5 provides that the office for the aging shall provide the aging
in place task force with such facilities, assistance, and data as will
enable such task force to carry out its powers and duties.  Addi-
tionally, all other departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions
thereof shall, at the request of the chairpersons, provide such task
force with such facilities, assistance, and data as will enable such
task force to carry out its powers and duties.

Section 6 provides that the aging in place task force shall issue a
report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the tempo-
rary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly no later
than January 1, 2024.

Section 7 provides that the aging in place task force shall terminate on
the date that it submits the report required in section six of this act
or December 31, 2023, whichever is later.

Section 8 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."

Often as people age, the houses they have raised families in no longer
meet their changing needs. One of the greatest concerns they have is
that they may have to leave their home. 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 familiar 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, qual-
ity of life and independence 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 task force will examine the various issues that need
to be addressed to support and encourage senior citizens who want to age
in place and provide a written report and recommendations based on this
examination.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: A3142-A referred to aging; 2017-18 A3625 referred to aging;
same as S7250 (Kennedy); 2015-16: A2123A referred to aging; same as
S566A (Latimer) referred to aging

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE: