STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2612

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2531

       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. 2531, 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 a Fall Prevention and Early Detection Coordinator position within the Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch of the Department of Health to coordinate the provision of public and private fall prevention and early detection services for the elderly.

     The measure also appropriates $81,985 to establish and fill the Fall Prevention and Early Detection Coordinator position.

     One individual submitted written comments in support of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that fall prevention is critical to the safety and well-being of the State's elderly residents, which is the fastest-growing segment of Hawaii's population.  Your Committee also finds that early detection of fall occurrences would reduce medical costs and suffering by expediting treatment, minimizing serious long-term consequences, reducing the extent of injury, and in some instances, avoiding death.  Your Committee believes that the Fall Prevention and Early Detection Coordinator position established by this measure will serve as a focal point for statewide injury prevention and detection efforts to ensure multidisciplinary support, coordination of prevention and detection efforts, and continuity of implementation and accountability.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the amount of the appropriation to an unspecified sum;

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

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

     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. 2531, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2531, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair