STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1640

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 76

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 76 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING TO CONTINUE ITS RESEARCH OF THE TIMEBANKING CONCEPT FOR HAWAII'S RESPITE SYSTEM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Executive Office on Aging to continue its research of the timebanking concept for Hawaii's respite system.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging.

     Your Committees find that respite services offer a temporary break to caregivers from their ongoing responsibility of caring for an individual of any age.  The Executive Office on Aging recognizes that each year the State is asked to fund numerous home- and community-based social service programs that support Hawaii's family caregivers and their respite needs, such as Kupuna Care.

     Your Committees further find that home- and community-based social service programs have traditionally utilized a monetary form of currency to support their service delivery.  However, alternative forms of currency to support increasing community needs are being explored locally, nationally, and internationally.  Timebanking is one such alternative that may offer a more sustainable provision of social services and may strengthen Hawaii's communities by building on individual strengths and recognizing that everyone in our community has something to offer.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 76, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Ways and Means,

____________________________ DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair