HB2109

SECTION 1. Given recent disasters, such as hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and the earthquakes that struck Hawaii in 2006, the needs of individuals with disabilities and other special health needs have become more apparent as part of overall community emergency preparedness.

An interagency work group was convened in October 2005 to address these needs. The interagency work group developed a 2006 interagency action plan for the emergency preparedness of people with disabilities and special health needs, and the interagency work group took action on many of the goals and objectives during 2006 and subsequently updated the action plan in February 2007. The 2006 and 2007 interagency action plans identified preparedness planning, notification, sheltering, and transportation as the most pressing issues for individuals with disabilities and special health needs. In particular, the interagency action plan established the following goals:

(1) All pre-designated locations used and managed as emergency evacuation shelters shall meet minimum requirements for facility access in the area of ingress and use of restroom (toilet) facilities to meet the needs of level I individuals;

(2) The capacity of the community to "shelter in place" shall be increased;

(3) The number and dispersion of community emergency shelters as centers to provide augmented health support for level II individuals shall be increased, with the long-term goal of having all community shelters able to support level II individuals;

(4) An accessible public and professional personal emergency readiness campaign shall be developed to assist everyone to make plans for themselves and their families in the event of an emergency;

(5) Individuals with disabilities or special health needs shall have an emergency evacuation plan in place developed by themselves or by their caregivers to implement in the event of a notification of evacuation;

(6) Education shall be provided to all health care providers in order that appropriate emergency evacuation plans for health care facilities or settings are in place;

(7) Individuals with disabilities or special health needs shall receive notification of an evacuation through state civil defense mechanisms in an accessible format; and

(8) Each county shall have a plan for providing accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities and special health needs who have no transportation options or means to get to and from the emergency shelter.

The purpose of this bill is to expand and improve Hawaii's emergency management operations by establishing a statewide task force to address and plan for the specific and specialized needs of individuals with disabilities and special health needs.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established the statewide emergency planning task force for individuals with disabilities and special health needs within the civil defense division of the department of defense for administrative purposes only. The task force shall consist of the following members:

(1) The chair of the standing committee of the house of representatives with jurisdiction over health matters, or the chair's designee;

(2) The chair of the standing committee of the senate with jurisdiction over health matters, or the chair's designee;

(3) Nine members of the community at large, to be appointed without regard to section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as follows:

(A) Three by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(B) Three by the president of the senate; and

and

(4) The vice director of civil defense, or the vice director's designee.

(b) The task force shall elect its chairperson from among its members.

(c) The task force shall advise the civil defense division of the department of defense on the needs of individuals with disabilities and special health needs.

(d) Members of the task force shall not receive compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the task force.

(e) Meetings of the task force shall be exempt from chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

(f) The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2009.

SECTION 3. The department of defense shall report the advice and findings of the task force to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2009.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the expenses of the statewide emergency planning task force for individuals with disabilities and special health needs to carry out the purposes of this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 4 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2109
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII