Appropriates funds to the executive office on aging to develop a volunteer-hours exchange program.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Many Hawaii residents volunteer their time to benefit others. The legislature finds that a structured program that credits volunteers for donated hours would substantially increase the level of volunteer activity and address community needs, including child care and long-term care for the elderly.

A volunteer-hours exchange program allocates a credit for each hour of service that a person volunteers. The credits can be exchanged for a service that a person needs or a person can donate credits to another person. For instance, a person would receive a credit for providing transportation services to an elderly person in need. The person can then use the credit to obtain chore services or donate the credit to someone else in need of services. These programs support, encourage, and coordinate reciprocity among residents. Similar programs known as time dollar programs are being conducted successfully in Florida and Missouri and can serve as models.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys for the executive office on aging to develop a volunteer-hours exchange program based on the time dollar programs that are being conducted in Florida and Missouri. The funds are to be allocated between a planning and public education program, and two pilot projects, one in conjunction with Hawaii county's retired and senior volunteer program and the other in Honolulu in conjunction with Project Dana.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $350,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the executive office on aging to develop a volunteer-hours exchange program and fund the two pilot projects.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.