Establishes the planning for longevity program to design, conduct, and evaluate a public awareness campaign that provides Hawaii residents within information and resources related to issues associated with longevity. Appropriates funds for the program.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Hawaii residents have the longest life expectancy in the nation and enjoy the benefits of a long life. Nevertheless, many people are not prepared to adequately address the various issues related to longevity.

As they get older, many people are concerned about their financial well-being during retirement, as they face uncertainty about the continued availability of Social Security, and whether they will have adequate pension and savings to see them through their golden years.

Other questions revolve around long term care: what care options exist, how are the different options accessed, how to cover the cost of care, and whether the catastrophic costs of long term care will impoverish them.

Despite their uncertainty, many people do not begin to explore retirement options and plan for a productive life early enough. Individuals need to be prepared for longevity and its potential impacts on family life and resources. People need good information in order to make informed decisions.

The purpose of this Act is to create a state longevity planning program within the executive office on aging in order to create a public awareness campaign to provide Hawaii residents with information and resources to aid preparation and planning for a productive long life.

SECTION 2. Chapter 349, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§349-   State longevity planning program. (a) There is established a program to be known as the state planning for longevity program to be placed within the executive office on aging.

(b) The state longevity planning program shall partner with interested stakeholders to conduct a needs assessment of information needs relating to issues associated with longevity.

(c) The state longevity planning program shall design, conduct, and evaluate a public awareness campaign that provides Hawaii's residents with information on and resources for the longevity issues identified by the needs assessment.

(d) The state longevity planning program shall develop, test, and print materials for the public awareness campaign.

(e) The department may enter into a contract with a private or public entity to evaluate the public awareness campaign."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $305,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for costs associated with planning, designing, conducting, and evaluating a public awareness campaign to ensure that Hawaii's residents are socially and economically prepared for a long life.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

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