STAND. COM. REP. NO.  850-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2196

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2196, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CAREGIVING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to support the work of the Joint Legislative Committee on Family Caregiving to assist caregivers by, among other things:

     (1)  Changing its name to the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place (JLCAP);

     (2)  Extending the term of JLCAP to June 30, 2009;

     (3)  Expanding JLCAP's mandate to include aging in place issues as they relate to family caregiving;

     (4)  Requiring JLCAP to design the cash and counseling project for non-Medicaid eligible elders;

     (5)  Authorizing the Kupuna Care Program to expands its services, including emergency, overnight, and weekend respite services; and

     (6)  Appropriating funds to support these efforts.

     The State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Agency on Elderly Affairs for the County of Kauai, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Kokua Council, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, Hawaii Aging Advocates Coalition, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a concerned individual supported this bill.  The Executive Office on Aging submitted comments.

     Funding for JLCAP is included as part of the legislative budget.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2196, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair