SB2831

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2831
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to the University of Hawaii center on aging education and research.

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

SECTION 1. During the 2007 interim, the joint legislative committee on family caregiving was provided with information and data from a variety of studies and surveys related to family caregiving and aging. The studies and surveys presented to the joint legislative committee on family caregiving emphasize the importance of research, education, and training in building a family caregiver and "aging in place" support system in the State. An inclusive, information sharing, interdisciplinary center on aging is needed to address the issues of eldercare in the State.

Because of its expressed commitment to serve in this role, the joint legislative committee on family caregiving has identified the University of Hawaii as the appropriate partner to coordinate the research, education, and training needs in developing a comprehensive family caregiver support system that would allow Hawaii's elderly to age in place.

The University of Hawaii center on aging was established by the University of Hawaii board of regents in 1988 to coordinate gerontological activities, to establish gerontology as an academic field, and to promote collaboration between the University of Hawaii and community organizations concerned with aging. Today, the center on aging is known as the center on aging research and education and there is a need for the center to expand to meet the needs of Hawaii's growing elderly population.

According to the University of Hawaii center on aging research and education, the center's primary role will be to:

(1) Promote, coordinate, and facilitate research, education, and training efforts related to aging and the enhancement of the quality of life for the State's elderly community;

(2) Coordinate education and training of health and legal service providers to care for the State's elderly community;

(3) Provide a venue for public-private discourse and development of sound public policy on aging;

(4) Direct communication and outreach activities related to aging;

(5) Maintain strong links with local and state entities with regard to aging issues;

(6) Lend its expertise to legislative committees that deal with aging issues;

(7) Coordinate and strengthen existing university courses and curriculum, as well as develop new interdisciplinary courses that focus on aging; and

(8) Participate in developing a consumer-directed care program for non-medicaid eligible elders.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii center on aging research and education, for faculty positions and program expenses, to carry out the center's mission of assuring the well-being of the State's older adults by stimulating and coordinating gerontological and aging instruction, research, and community services.

SECTION 2. The University of Hawaii shall establish up to four faculty positions at the University of Hawaii center on aging research. The faculty positions may be used to develop methods to provide education, teaching and curriculum development and coordination, outreach and community services, and student aid.

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 up to four faculty positions at the University of Hawaii center on aging research and education and for the program expenses provided for in section 2 of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________