STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3515

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 25

       S.D. 1

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. 25, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONVENING A TASK FORCE ON AGING TO STUDY THE NEED FOR AND FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A DEPARTMENT OF AGING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to address the multi-faceted needs of Hawaii's older population.

     Specifically, this measure establishes a joint legislative Task Force on Aging to study the need for, feasibility of, and preliminary plans necessary for consolidating publicly-funded programs and services that serve Hawaii's older population under the jurisdiction of a new Department of Aging.

     The Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs and Kohala Senior Citizens Club submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Executive Office on Aging submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.  The Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii submitted comments.

     It is projected that nearly one‑third of Hawaii's population will be aged sixty or older by the year 2020.  Currently, the array of publicly‑funded programs and services that serve Hawaii's older population are scattered among various state, local, and nonprofit agencies.  This disparate system can be difficult for a caregiver or care recipient to navigate, especially in a time of crisis.  Your Committee finds that the scope and magnitude of overlapping issues facing Hawaii's older population may necessitate department-level attention.  This measure will investigate the feasibility of establishing a new Department of Aging to centralize these programs and services to address the multi-faceted needs of Hawaii's older population.

     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. 25, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair