Report Title:
Disaster Planning; Disabled Persons
Description:
Establishes a program under the executive office on aging for disaster planning and preparation for at-risk individuals. Makes appropriation.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2807 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO DISASTER PLANNING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. People with disabilities are self-sufficient under normal circumstances, but may have to rely upon the help and assistance of others in a disaster. For example:
(1) People with disabilities and older people often need more time than others to make necessary preparation in an emergency;
(2) People who are deaf or hard of hearing may not receive early disaster warnings and emergency instructions which are normally disseminated audibly by siren, radio, and television;
(3) People who are blind or visually-impaired, particularly the elderly, may be extremely reluctant to leave familiar surroundings in an evacuation;
(4) Guide dogs could become confused or disoriented in a disaster, leaving their dependent owners at greater risk;
(5) Guide dogs may not be allowed to stay at shelters to assist their dependent owners;
(6) People with impaired mobility are concerned about being lifted, carried, and then dropped, causing them injury and further impairment;
(7) People with mental retardation are not always able to understand an emergency situation and could become disoriented and confused;
(8) People with respiratory illness could require oxygen and respiratory equipment in an emergency; and
(9) People with epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and other conditions have very individualized medication regimens that cannot be interrupted without serious consequences.
The legislature finds that an unusually high concentration of this population resides in the Moiliili-McCully area of Oahu.
The purpose of this Act is to create and make an appropriation for a pilot program to be known as the disaster planning and preparation for at-risk individuals in the community.
SECTION 2. (a) There is created a pilot program to be known as the disaster planning and preparation program for at-risk individuals in the community. The department of health shall administer the program through the executive office on aging. The program shall target the population with disabilities living in the Moiliili-McCully area of Oahu.
(b) For purposes of subsection (a), the executive office on aging shall consult with interested community entities including, but not limited to, Project DANA, Lanakila Meals on Wheels, Alu Like Inc., American Association of Retired Persons, Catholic Charities, Hawaii Council of Association of Apartment Owners, RSVP Helping Hands Hawaii, Hawaii Meals on Wheels, Moiliili Community Center, Na Lei Aloha, and St. Clement's Church.
(c) This section shall be repealed on June 30, 2008.
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 disaster planning and preparation program for at-risk individuals in the community.
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.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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