HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE SENATE

THE TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE

INTERIM OF 2011

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair

Rep. Jo Jordan, Vice Chair

Rep. Della Au Belatti	Rep. Jessica Wooley
Rep. Faye P. Hanohano	Rep. Ryan I. Yamane
Rep. Chris Lee	Rep. Corinne W.L. Ching
Rep. Dee Morikawa	Rep. Kymberly Marcos Pine

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair

Senator Les Ihara, Jr., Vice Chair

Sen. Josh Green, M.D.

Sen. Sam Slom

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

DATE:	Thursday, October 27, 2011
TIME:	1:00 p.m.
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 concerns with elder abuse and financial exploitation in Hawaii.  According to the Executive Office on Aging, by year 2020 one in four Hawaii residents will be age 60 or older.  Hawaii's elderly population is graying faster than any other state in the union.

Consumer protection issues dealing with Hawaii's seniors, such as but not limited to elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation will be the topics of discussion.  Last session HB1123[1], a bill to require a durable power of attorney (POA) to be signed by two witnesses not related to the POA and acknowledged by a notary public, was introduced in an effort to defend seniors against financial exploitation by caregivers.  The bill and other measures to safeguard Hawaii's elderly from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation will be discussed at the briefing.

This briefing will review the state's ability to address the health and financial needs of the elderly and review recommendations for stronger policy and public responsibility to adequately address elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.  The briefing will also discuss policy to ensure quality long-term healthcare for the elderly with the focus on aging in place and community based healthcare.

Family caregivers, volunteer and private caregivers, case managers, case management agencies, community care homes (foster homes), adult residential care homes, and adult day care centers under the purview of the Department of Human Services (DHS) will present information on their role in the long-term healthcare continuum for the elderly in Hawaii and provide recommendations on improving healthcare and services for the elderly, while ensuring adequate protections for seniors.

At the conclusion of the briefing, the Chairs of the Senate and House Human Services Committees will summarize the suggested solutions ascertained from this briefing to better address protective policy for Hawaii's elderly.  The Committee Chairs may also identify future legislation aimed at reducing elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

The following organizations have been invited to participate in this briefing:

State Department of Human Services

Adult Protective Services (DHS)

Community Ties of America (DHS)

State Executive Office on Aging

University of Hawaii, Elder Law Program

AARP Hawaii

Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Honolulu Police Department (HPD)

Ohana Health Plan

Evercare Hawaii

Healthcare Association of Hawaii

Community Care Foster Family Homes (Operators & Caregivers)

All case managers and case management agencies under DHS

Other individuals or organizations related to elderly issues, family caregivers, private caregivers, volunteer caregivers, case managers, care home operators, private nursing institutions, and community adult foster home operators.

Only testimony from people on the testifiers list will be accepted.

Persons on the testifiers list wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a transmittal cover indicating:

· Testifier's name with position/title and organization;

· The Committee the comments are directed to;

· The date and time of the hearing or briefing;

· Measure number if applicable; and

· The number of copies the Committee is requesting. 

While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing/briefing or improperly identified or directed to the incorrect office, may be distributed to the Committee after the hearing.

Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:

PAPER: One copy (including an original) to Room 315 in the State Capitol;

FAX:     For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to 586-8524 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (Neighbor Islands); or

EMAIL: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to HUStestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov.

Testimony submitted will be placed on the Legislative Web site after the hearing adjourns.  This public posting of testimony on the Web site should be considered when including personal information in your testimony.

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

No public testimony will be accepted.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the informational briefing  (i.e., sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6050 to make a request for arrangements at least 24 hours prior to the briefing.  Prompt requests help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

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

______________________________________ Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland Chair	_____________________________________ Rep. John M. Mizuno Chair
APPROVED	APPROVED
______________________________________ Senator Shan S. Tsutsui President of the Senate	_____________________________________ Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say Speaker of the House

---

[1] In 2010 HB2979 was introduced in the Hawaii State Legislature, which required the signing of a durable power of attorney to be witnessed by two independent witnesses for the power of attorney to be enforceable.