STAND. COM. REP. NO. 101

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 676

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. 676 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 to establish one full-time equivalent Alzheimer's disease and related dementia services coordinator position in the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division of the Department of Health.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter; International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142; O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and fourteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and 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 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 Dementia identified strategies required to address the multifaceted issues associated with this disease; however, the services and activities needed require leadership and coordination at a systematic level. This measure establishes a dedicated position to help implement and update the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia state plan.

Your Committee notes that the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division does not have an Alzheimer's disease and related dementia services-specific program, as the Executive Office on Aging is the designated lead agency in the coordination of a statewide system of aging and caregiver support services in the State.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the name of the full-time equivalent position from "Alzheimer's disease and related dementia services coordinator position" to "program specialist IV";

(2) Placing the full-time equivalent position within the Executive Office on Aging, rather than the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division of the Department of Health;

(3) Updating its purpose section; 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 S.B. No. 676, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 676, 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