STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1304

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 465

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 465, H.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 appropriate funds for the kupuna care program and to require the Executive Office on Aging to adopt rules to administer the kupuna care program by January 1, 2022.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging; Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; Maui County Office on Aging; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142; Zonta Club of Hilo; Chinatown Gateway Plaza Tenant Association; Hawaii Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association; Catholic Charities Hawai‘i; Lanakila Pacific; AARP Hawaii; Hawaii Women's Coalition; and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that as Hawaii's aging population continues to grow, the need for long term services and supports is also increasing. The kupuna care program assists vulnerable adults age 60 and older to age in place by providing a continuum of home and community-based services, such as homemakers, meal delivery, transportation, and personal care. By providing these services, the kupuna care program empowers elderly residents to continue leading independent, meaningful, and dignified lives within their communities.

Your Committee further finds that in fiscal year 2018, kupuna care served 5,643 older adults statewide at an average cost of $1,524 per person, significantly less than more restrictive types of care. Securing consistent funding for the kupuna care program is critical, as keeping seniors healthy and at home is the most cost-effective way to address the rapidly increasing population of adults age 60 and older in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an appropriation amount of $9,000,000;

(2) Removing the requirement for the Executive Office on Aging to adopt rules to administer the kupuna care program by January 1, 2022;

(3) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2019; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 465, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 465, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and 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,

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair