Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 505, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide an additional payment to adult residential care home operators who provide care to Social Security recipients to assist with increased care costs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Alliance of Residential Care Administrators, the Hawaii Coalition of Care Home Administrators, the Filipino Coalition for Solidarity, Basic Care Home, and two individuals. Your Committee also received comments from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that adult residential care homes provide an important service and a more economical long-term care alternative for seniors and disabled individuals. Your Committee further finds that payments on behalf of individuals in adult residential care homes have not increased since 1997, despite the rising cost of living and increased costs of operation, personnel, and insurance. This measure authorizes an additional payment to adult residential care home providers who provide care to recipients eligible for either federal Supplementary Security Income or public assistance in accordance with State standards. Your Committee believes that this measure will ensure the continued availability of residential care homes to serve Hawaii's elderly and disabled population.

Your Committee has amended this measure to insert an appropriation of $10.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 505, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 505, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.