STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3507

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 135

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 135 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO SURVEY OTHER STATES TO DETERMINE HOW NURSING FACILITIES IN RURAL AREAS ADDRESS THEIR TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING ISSUES RELATED TO THE TRANSPORT OF NURSING FACILITY RESIDENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to survey nursing facilities in other states to determine how nursing facilities in rural areas address the transportation and parking issues related to transport of nursing facility residents.

     Furthermore, the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to consult with the Disability and Communication Access Board, Long-Term Care Social Workers of Hawaii, National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter, Nursing Facility Administrators, and the Hawaii State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, as necessary.  The Bureau is requested to report the results of its survey, including any necessary proposed legislation, to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2009.

     This measure also requests the Disability and Communication Access Board, Long-Term Care Social Workers of Hawaii, National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter, Nursing Facility Administrators, and the Hawaii State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to meet to discuss an alternative solution to the transportation and parking problems of nursing facilities and make recommendations, including proposed legislation, at the state and county levels, as appropriate, to the Legislature and the appropriate county council before the convening of the Regular Session of 2009 and before the convening of the appropriate county council 2009 legislative session.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter, and twenty-three individuals.  The Legislative Reference Bureau offered comments.

     Your Committee encourages the Legislative Reference Bureau to consider expanding the survey to consider the challenges faced by a wider variety of transportation services that assist elderly and handicapped passengers.  Taxi Cabs, Handivans, and long-term care facility vans are a few examples of transportation services that may face problems similar to those of nursing homes when dropping off and picking up passengers with limited mobility.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 135 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair