HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE SENATE

THE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2009

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair

Rep. Tom Brower, Vice Chair

Rep. Della Au Belatti	Rep. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro
Rep. Joe Bertram, III	Rep. Ryan I. Yamane
Rep. Mele Carroll	Rep. Gene Ward
Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair

Senator Les Ihara, Jr., Vice Chair

Sen. Josh Green, M.D.

Sen. Fred Hemmings

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

DATE:	Monday, June 29, 2009
TIME:	2:00 pm
PLACE:	Conference Room 329 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

The purpose of this informational briefing is to discuss the concerns with elder abuse and child abuse, specifically Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS).  The briefing will provide a clear definition of elder abuse and child abuse (SBS); also seeking to identify key signs of such abuse.  Moreover, agencies will be identified to report such abuse or to contact for information on determining whether abuse or neglect has occurred.

In the United States, it is estimated that 1,200 to 1,400 children suffer from Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), the term used to describe the vigous violent shaking of an infant that results in injuries every year with one in four dying as a result of their injuries and more than 50 percent of the infants surviving from SBS suffering from residual disabilites such as head injuries, subdural hemotoma, irreversible brain damage, retinal hemorrhage, eye damage, rib fractures, spinal injury, blindness, and hearing loss.

For the elderly, abuse means actual or imminent physical injury, psychological abuse or neglect, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, and negligent treatment.  Many seniors are often chosen as targets for abuse because they are vulnerable, may not be able to identify their attackers, because of vision or memory problems, and their attackers know this.

The briefing will seek "best practices" from all stakeholders to prevent elder and child abuse and determine whether an educational campaign and/or suggested legislation is necessary to achieve reduction of abuse.

The following organizations and/or individuals have been invited to participate:

The Department of Human Services; and

Child Protective Services (DHS); and

Adult Protective Services (DHS); and

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman, State Executive Office on Aging; and

The State Attorney General's Office; and

The Honolulu Police Department; and

Kahala Nui; and

Mila Ka'ahaanui, Hawaii Coalition of Caregivers Association; and

Lani Akee, President Adult Foster Homes Association; and

Myriam Tabaniag, President Adult Residential Care Homes; and

Hawaii Disability Rights Center; and

Case Management representatives; and

Other individuals or organizations related to caregivers, protection and reduction of child and elder abuse care home operators and adult foster home operators.

To ensure that all testifiers will have adequate time to speak, please limit comments to 5 minutes per individual or group.

No public testimony will be accepted.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6050 or email your request for an interpreter to HouseInterpreter@Capitol.hawaii.gov at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements.  Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6050.

Selected meetings are broadcast live.  Check the current legislative broadcast schedule on the "Capitol TV" Web site at www.capitoltv.org OR call 550-8074.

________________________________________ Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland Chair

________________________________________ Rep. John M. Mizuno Chair