Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2148 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Hawaii respite services trust fund (fund).

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Health (DOH), Executive Office on Aging, State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, ARC in Hawaii, Child and Family Service, and Hawaii Respite Coalition.

Respite services provide temporary relief for caregivers from the ongoing responsibility of caring for an individual of any age with special needs, or who may be at risk of abuse or neglect. The fund would be administered by the Hawaii Community Foundation. Moneys from state, county, or federal government, and private contributions would be deposited into the fund. Moneys in the fund would be expended for grants to caregivers for respite care.

Your Committee finds that respite care is a necessary part of care for the elderly and disabled. Respite care rejuvenates and refreshes the caregiver who is often at home with the patient around the clock. This measure would enable caregivers to afford to pay for occasional respite care services.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2148 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.