STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3279

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 136

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 136 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING TO ENCOURAGE TRANSPARENCY RELATING TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT AND THE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS PROVIDED TO OLDER ADULTS THROUGH THE COUNTY AREA AGENCIES ON AGING AND CONTRACTED SERVICE PROVIDERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Executive Office on Aging to improve its transparency with respect to its compliance with the Older Americans Act and the services and supports provided through county area agencies on aging.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels, Lanakila Pacific, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that some non-profit organizations and other entities contracted by government agencies to provide services to the elderly in Hawaii have reported delays and gaps in contracting and payment, which have affected their ability to provide timely service and plan for the future and have resulted in errors, inefficiencies, and delays. Your Committee finds that increased transparency within the Aging Network of the Executive Office on Aging, county area agencies on aging, and contracted service providers will uncover areas for improvement and encourage a fairer, more effective support system for the elderly.

Your Committee notes that the Executive Office on Aging possesses much of the information that would need to be shared, is in the best position to share it, and has volunteered in good faith to share it.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 136 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair