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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 531-06
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2006
RE: H.B. No. 2938
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2006
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2938 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LONG TERM CARE,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this bill is to improve and support statewide services to long-term care programs by making an appropriation for:
(1) The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (Ombudsman Program) to establish three ombudsman specialist positions to ensure adequate services for the Neighbor Islands; and
(2) The Ombudsman Program's operating costs related to the Neighbor Island's Ombudsman Program and volunteer programs.
Specifically, this bill enhances the Executive Office on Aging's (EOA) ability to provide:
(1) Improved and continuous provision of information and referral assistance;
(2) Educational activities to increase community awareness of elder rights;
(3) Representation at the Legislature; and
(4) Training to long-term care staff, family councils, and resident councils.
The EOA supported the intent of this bill.
Your Committees have amended this bill by:
(1) Eliminating specific references to the Ombudsman Program Specialist IV and the Clerk Typist II positions;
(2) Providing that the funding go to the EOA for the operation and delivery of the Ombudsman Program on the Neighbor Islands to allow increased flexibility in the administration of these funds;
(3) Changing the appropriations amounts to $1 to encourage further discussion; and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2938, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2938, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services,
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____________________________ ALEX M. SONSON, Chair |
____________________________ DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair |
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