Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 914, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to codify licensing qualifications and personnel, staff, and family requirements for Type I and Type II adult residential care homes and expanded adult residential care homes. The measure also allows the Department of Health to conduct unannounced inspections of adult residential care homes during and outside of normal business hours on an annual basis.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Hawaii State Judiciary, the Heathcare Association of Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, the Hawaii Long Term Care Association, the State Long Term Care Ombudsman, the Long Term Care Ombudsman Volunteer Corps, Military Officers of America, the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, The National Association of Social Workers, and eleven concerned citizens. The Department of Health supported part of the measure. The Hawaii Coalition of Care Home Administrators and five care home operators opposed the measure.

Your Committee finds that adult residential care homes and expanded adult residential care homes care for frail seniors, mentally retarded, mentally ill, and developmentally disabled individuals who are not able to care for themselves. Many of these residents receive few visitors.

Your Committee recognizes that operating an adult care home is a stressful and demanding occupation. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of adult care homes provide a safe and caring environment for their residents. Your Committee believes unannounced inspections will allow inspectors to identify and address problems before a problem ends in disaster.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 914, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.