THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2587
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the kupuna caregivers program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that with 16.5 per cent of Hawaii's population being sixty-five years or older, and with projections of an increase to 19.4 per cent by 2020 and 23 per cent by 2030, caring for Hawaii's kupuna is a high priority of the legislature.

The legislature finds that currently there are 154,000 unpaid family caregivers in Hawaii who are taking care of their parents, spouse, or other relatives who need extra care. Family caregivers play a crucial role in the State's health care system by providing long-term care to the elderly, all unpaid. It is imperative to ensure that while caregivers are looking after their loved ones, the caregivers must also take care of themselves and have the necessary support and services to sustain their own health as well as the health of the family member for whom they are caring.

To address this issue, the kupuna caregivers program was established on July 6, 2017, aiming to provide families in need of extra support services with additional resources to cover a variety of services such as: adult day care, assisted transportation, homemaker services, and many more important services to qualified kupuna. The program ensures that caregivers continue earning their own retirement benefits, which helps businesses retain experienced workers and provides peace of mind that loved kupuna are well cared for while caregivers remain in the workforce. This program allows caregivers who are juggling their own employment with their caregiving responsibilities to simultaneously take care of their kupuna and themselves.

Since the establishment of the kupuna caregivers program, the executive office on aging has reportedly received hundreds of calls from Hawaii residents wishing to receive the benefits of the program. While the creation of the program was an important first step, the legislature believes that the program requires additional second year funding to have the impact it needs. With the high volume of residents showing interest in the program, the current funding needs to be increased in order to better serve the people of Hawaii.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the implementation of the kupuna caregivers program.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for proper implementation of the kupuna caregivers program.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Kupuna Caregivers Program; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for implementation of the kupuna caregivers program.

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