Establishes a community-based disaster planning and preparedness pilot program for older individuals who lack family or service agency support. Makes an appropriation. (SD2)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Section 1. The legislature finds that a major deficiency exists in the State's disaster planning and preparedness for older individuals who lack family or service agency support. The recent events of Hurricane Katrina and September 11th forced our communities to recognize the extreme vulnerability of our older populations.

A substantial portion of the older population in Hawaii are socially or geographically isolated and not served by community agencies. These people are particularly vulnerable in disaster situations because they often require special transportation services, have critical medical and pharmaceutical needs, and have difficulty communicating due to cultural differences and language barriers.

The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation and establish a community-based disaster planning and preparedness pilot program for older individuals who lack family or service agency support.

SECTION 2. (a) There is created a pilot program to be known as the disaster planning and preparedness pilot program for older individuals. The department of health shall administer the program through the executive office on aging. This shall be a model program that focuses on older individuals who lack family or service agency support. The program shall be volunteer- and community-based and the executive office on aging shall work in conjunction with the Volunteer Organization Active in Disaster Relief, the Volunteer Resource Center of Hawaii, and other volunteer organizations trained in disaster preparedness.

(b) The executive office on aging shall report to the legislature twenty days prior to the legislative session about the progress of the pilot program.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the executive office on aging to establish a community-based disaster planning and preparedness pilot program for older individuals who lack family or service agency support.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the

department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.