Report Title:
Disaster Planning and Preparedness; Elderly; Disabled
Description:
Makes an appropriation to the interagency workgroup for the emergency preparedness of people with disabilities and special needs to implement community outreach programs to inform the general public, particularly the elderly, disabled, and infirm populations of the availability of disaster relief services in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. (SD1)
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2107 |
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TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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.
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 workgroup, known as the interagency workgroup for the emergency preparedness of people with disabilities and special needs, was convened in October 2005 to address these needs. The interagency workgroup developed a 2006 interagency action plan for the emergency preparedness of people with disabilities and special health needs, and the interagency workgroup 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.
A substantial portion of the older and disabled population in Hawaii are socially or geographically isolated and not served by community agencies. These individuals 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 appropriate funds to the interagency workgroup for the emergency preparedness of people with disabilities and special needs to implement outreach programs to inform the general public, particularly the elderly, disabled, and infirm populations of the availability of disaster relief services in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the interagency workgroup for the emergency preparedness of people with disabilities and special needs to implement outreach programs to inform the general public, particularly the elderly, disabled, and infirm populations of the availability of disaster relief services in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.