Cypress Village residents and associates filled Egret Hall the morning of Dec. 20 to celebrate and honor Florida House of Representatives Clay Yarborough of District 12 and Cyndi Stevenson of District 17.
This celebration had been building for several years after House Bill 1033 was initially filed for review and revision by Stevenson, and everyone present was excited to celebrate the successful passing of the bill in both the Florida House and Senate. The bill serves to protect residents in senior living Continuing Care Retirement Communities from a variety of financial risks and creates a statewide Continuing Care Advisory Council to make sure that residents across Florida have proper advocacy in legislation and are being taken care of in their retirement.
The ceremony included a welcome by Cypress Village Executive Director Ty Morgan, as well as an awards presentation to the representatives. Two organizations were integral in the passing of this bill and continued advocacy for senior living reform; The Florida Life Care Residents Association and LeadingAge Florida, both of which presented awards to the Representatives for their efforts.
Cypress Village resident and FLiCRA Treasurer Jim Jandreau said, “This new law, monumental in its scope, struck a fair and needed balance of resident protection and will lead to further economic growth and vibrancy of the CCRC model in Florida.”
He joined William Stander of FLiCRA as they presented an award of appreciation to both Yarborough and Stevenson. The Executive Director of LeadingAge Florida, Susan Langston, was also present and spoke, recognizing the dedication of the legislators for their dedication to the task and the passing of HB1033.
“Without the strength of their vision for a healthy senior living market with strong protections for residents, this important reform simply would not have happened,” Langston said.
She named Yarborough and Stevenson as LeadingAge Florida’s Legislators of the Year.
Following the remarks by Yarborough and Stevenson, attendees participated in a meet and greet with the dignitaries and enjoyed mimosas and a gourmet breakfast buffet.
