Establishes the New York certified retirement community program within the office for the aging

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 certified retirement community by the office for a period of up to five years. The designation is renewable. Also defines an "Assessment instrument" as a measurement instrument recommended by the retirement community 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 community 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 specific 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 effectiveness. Members include, ex officio: the secretary of state, the chancellor 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 recommendation 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 communities as premier retirement destinations for retirees and prospective retirees, and to assist such cities, towns, villages and portions thereof in providing and enhancing amenities that retirees will find attractive and in marketing themselves through such means as joint state-local and private marketing efforts, technical assistance, networking opportunities 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 municipalities 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 deficiencies 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 amenities; 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 coordinate advertising and public relations; and an "ambassadors subcommittee" 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 advertising.

* REPORT : The director provides an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature 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 director for improving or changing the program.

Justification

Six states that have created programs for Certified Retirement Communities. The purpose of these programs is to encourage economic development. 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 exhaustive 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 retiree 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.

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 necessary to implement the program prior to such date.