SB2107

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2107
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to disaster preparedness.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

Section 1. The legislature finds that a major deficiency exists in the State's disaster planning and preparedness for older and disabled individuals. The recent events of Hurricane Katrina and September 11th forced our communities to recognize the extreme vulnerability of these two populations.

A substantial portion of the older and disabled population in Hawaii are socially or geographically isolated and not served by community agencies. These people are particularly vulnerable in disaster situations because they often require special transportation services, have critical medical and pharmaceutical needs, and have difficulty communicating due to cultural differences and language barriers.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a disaster planning and preparedness consumer advisory board to review existing and develop new policies and plans that address the needs of the elderly and disabled members of the community in the event of a man-made or natural disaster.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a disaster planning and preparedness consumer advisory board within the department of health for the review of existing and the development of new policies and plans that address the needs of elderly and disabled members of the community in the event of a man-made or natural disaster. The board shall provide guidance to the Hawaii State Civil Defense Division and each county's civil defense agency as to the disaster plans and procedures that are to be implemented.

(b) Membership of the disaster planning and preparedness consumer advisory board shall be as follows:

(1) One representative from the Hawaii State Civil Defense Division, to be designated by the Hawaii State Civil Defense Division director, who shall convene and facilitate the work of the board and ensure that the state and county civil defense plans are reviewed and modified as needed; and

(2) Four representatives from the city and county of Honolulu, two representatives from the county of Maui, two representatives from the county of Hawaii, and two representatives from the county of Kauai who are of varying disability or over the age of sixty.

(c) The Hawaii State Civil Defense Division and each county's civil defense agency shall work with the disability and communication access board, the council on developmental disabilities, the policy advisory board for elder affairs of the executive office on aging, and each county's office on aging board to designate the members under section (b)(2) who will serve on the disaster planning and preparedness consumer advisory board.

(d) The disaster planning and preparedness consumer advisory board shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations regarding the issues set forth in subsection (a), including any recommendations for proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009.

SECTION 3. 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 disaster planning and preparedness consumer advisory board to carry out its responsibilities, including interpreter services and travel expenses.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008, and shall be repealed on January 1, 2010.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________