STAND. COM. REP. NO. 776

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1916

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1916, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CAREGIVING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to strengthen support for family caregivers by:

     (1)  Extending until June 30, 2008, the Joint Legislative Committee on Family Caregiving;

     (2)  Requiring the Joint Legislative Committee on Family Caregiving to explore a paid family program under the state temporary disability insurance law;

     (3)  Requiring the Executive Office on Aging to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the needs of care recipients and their family caregivers; and

     (4)  Appropriating funds to expand the Kupuna Care program's in-home and access services and for the family caregiver support program.

     Comments in support of this measure were received from the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, County of Hawaii Office of Aging, City and County of Honolulu's Department of Community Services, Maui County Office on Aging, Anuenue Hale, Inc., Catholic Charities Hawaii, Child and Family Services, Hale Makua Home Health and Foster Family Programs, Hawaii Aging Advocates Coalition, Hawai‘i Alliance for Retired Americans, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142, Kokua Council, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii, Project Dana, and twenty concerned individuals.

     Your Committee finds that family caregiving will continue to be a critical component of the State's health and long-term care system, with more family caregivers providing services as Hawaii's older adult population increases at a significant rate.

     Your Committee further finds that family caregivers are themselves at risk for physical, emotional, and financial problems.  This measure will address these issues to assist family caregivers.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the sum appropriated to an unspecified amount to facilitate further discussion on this measure; and

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1916, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1916, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair