STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1127

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 102

      S.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 102, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ELDERLY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require financial institutions to report suspected financial abuse that is directed towards, targets, or is committed against an elder to the appropriate county police department.

     This measure also:

     (1)  Authorizes the reporting of suspected financial abuse by facsimile or electronic device;

     (2)  Requires the appropriate county police department to proceed with a criminal investigation upon receiving notification from a financial institution of suspected financial abuse; and

     (3)  Amends the definition of "financial abuse" to clarify the types of actions that are included in the term.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Bankers Association, Hawaii Credit Union League, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and one concerned individual.

     Your Committee finds that greater safeguards are needed to protect the State's elderly population from the growing problem of elder financial abuse.  Your Committee believes that this measure will establish a more efficient and effective mechanism to report and curtail instances of suspected financial abuse against elders.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 102, S.D. 2, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair