STAND. COM. REP. NO. 536

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 366

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 S.B. No. 366 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Alzheimer's disease and related dementia services coordinator position within the Executive Office on Aging.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter; O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Chinatown Gateway Plaza Tenant Association; and fifteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Executive Office on Aging.

Your Committee finds that approximately 27,000 Hawaii residents were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2010 and as Hawaii's population over the age of 65 continues to grow, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is expected to rise. Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients, as well as their caretakers, require strong community support and education to assist them as they live with and combat the disease. The Hawaii 2025: State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias identified strategies required to address the multifaceted issues associated with this disease; however, the services and activities needed require leadership and coordination at a systemic level. This measure authorizes funding for a dedicated position to help implement and update the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias State Plan.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a blank appropriation for the Executive Office on Aging to hire a consultant or contract with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to update the Alzheimer's and Related Dementias State Plan and devise strategies for service coordination; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose 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 S.B. No. 366, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 366, 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