STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2725

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2228

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2228, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and enhance existing services for the elderly.

Specifically, this measure:

(1)  Establishes and provides funding for a fall prevention and early detection coordinator;

(2)  Exempts the Alzheimer's disease and related dementia services coordinator from certain hiring requirements;

(3)  Appropriates funds for the Alzheimer's disease and related dementia services coordinator;

(4)  Appropriates funds for various senior care programs;

(5)  Provides funds for a long-term care education and awareness campaign;

(6)  Establishes and funds an elder justice coordinator position; and

(7)  Establishes and funds a long-term care supports and services system and resource development coordinator position.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, Zonta Club of Hilo, AARP, Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, Catholic Charities of Hawaii, Aloha United Way, and sixty-two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the elderly in Hawaii are among the State's most cherished resources and deserve enhanced protections and care.  Your Committee further finds that this measure will help to coordinate and increase the efficiency of existing services for the elderly.  Your Committee also believes that this measure will raise awareness among the general population of the need to plan for future long-term needs by purchasing long-term care plans and other services.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing all appropriations to unspecified amounts;

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion on the measure; and

(3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of style, clarity, and consistency

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2228, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2228, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair