HB2541.DOC

SECTION 1. America's population is aging. This is true in Hawaii as well, with projections estimating that, by 2030, the elderly population will represent twenty per cent of the populations for each county, as well as the state as a whole; that is, one out of every five individuals will be aged sixty-five or older.

Age is the single most important factor in understanding health status and the need and demand for health care resources. For the elderly, there is a clear relationship between age and mortality, prevalence of chronic conditions, and level of disability. Similarly, the elderly are the heaviest users of health care resources.

In Hawaii, as well as many other states, grandparents often care for their grandchildren. Frequently, grandparents take their grandchildren to playgrounds for fun and to meet their grandchildren's outdoor activity needs. The idea of establishing senior playgrounds near children's playgrounds is a concept that is being proposed to address the health status of elderly individuals. Senior playgrounds are environments that enable aging in place and are designed to keep seniors active and reduce their propensity to fall by providing seniors with a means to work on their balance and dexterity. These fitness parks offer opportunities for seniors to stay healthy and active and serve as a preventative measure to the propensity seniors have to falling, which results in $19,000,000,000 in annual health care costs, a number expected to increase to $55,000,000,000 by 2020.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a three-year senior playground pilot program to address the health needs of a growing elderly population.

SECTION 2. (a) The executive office on aging, in consultation with the department of health, county departments of parks and recreation or similar county agencies, elderly service providers, and other appropriate entities, shall establish a three-year senior playground pilot program.

(b) Taking into account proximity to existing playgrounds, the senior playground pilot program shall work with county departments of parks and recreation or similar county agencies, as well as elderly service providers, to determine the best possible locations and design for senior playgrounds.

(c) The executive office on aging may contract with provider agencies to implement the senior playground pilot program. The department of health and other state agencies shall assist the executive office on aging and any provider agencies contracted for the senior playground pilot program to identify, contract, and convey land and improvements available for use for the pilot program.

(d) The senior playground pilot program shall establish a goal of having at least one senior playground per county; provided that the number of senior playgrounds may be increased as determined by the executive office on aging, in consultation with the department of health, county departments of parks and recreation or similar county agencies, and elderly service providers.

(e) The counties shall make any amendments or exemptions to their respective ordinances, rules, or plans relating to planning, zoning, construction standards, development and improvement of land, and building construction that are necessary to implement the senior playground pilot program in a safe, cost-effective manner.

SECTION 3. The executive office on aging, in consultation with the department of health, shall submit a progress report of the senior playground pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2015, 2016, and 2017 regular sessions. After the final year of the senior playground pilot program, a final report shall be submitted to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2018, to include:

(1) Total number of locations of the senior playground pilot program;

(2) Initial costs of the program, including plan, design, and construction costs;

(3) Annual costs of the program including information on the durability of senior playground equipment and repair and maintenance costs of the senior playgrounds;

(4) Liability issues associated with the senior playgrounds, if any;

(5) Recommendations regarding the continuation or expansion of the senior playground pilot program including estimated costs to plan, design, construct, and maintain any additional playgrounds, as well as the counties in which the additional playgrounds will be established;

(6) Recommendations to incorporate the senior playground pilot program in the Hawaii state plan on aging; and

(7) Recommendations regarding any necessary legislation for the continuation or expansion of the senior playground pilot program.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the senior playground pilot program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on aging for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2018.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2541
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII