STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1646

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 1025

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1025, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KUPUNA CAREGIVERS PROGRAM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1)  Change the maximum amount of funds that can be awarded to a qualified caregiver under the Kupuna Caregivers Program (program), from $70 per day to $350 per week, subject to funding availability; and

(2)  Appropriate funds for the continued implementation of the program.

The Executive Office on Aging (EOA); Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women; Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; Church of the Crossroads; Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; Hawaii Psychological Association; Zonta Club of Hilo; Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition; Faith Action for Community Equity; Mental Health America of Hawai‘i; Caring Across Generations; Lanakila Meals on Wheels; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; AARP Hawai‘i; Chinatown Gateway Plaza Tenant Association; ILWU Local 142; Hale Hau‘oli Hawai‘i; and many individuals supported this measure.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1)  Requiring EOA to:

(A)  Establish a plan to maximize the number of participants served by the program and offer the program's core services;

(B)  Submit a copy of the program plan to the Legislature prior to the 2020 Regular Session; and

(C)  Establish administrative rules to implement and administer the program by January 1, 2022;

(2)  Requiring EOA's Planning and Administrative Services Division to include the program's outcomes in its annual evaluation report on elder programs to the Governor and Legislature;

(3)  Including under the scope of program services, activities of daily living that qualified caregivers perform;

(4)  Changing the maximum amount of funds that can be awarded to a qualified caregiver under the program, from $70 per day to an unspecified amount per week, subject to funding availability;

(5)  Changing its effective date from July 1, 2050, to January 1, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

(6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1025, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1025, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health,

______________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair

______________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair