STAND. COM. REP. NO. 413-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2098

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2098, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services, upon approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to establish and implement a program for providing home- and community-based services to at-risk individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who do not meet Medicaid's institutional level of care criteria for home- and community-based services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Autism Foundation, K.E.L.I.I. Foundation, Hawaii FASD Action Group, and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that there is a gap in the continuum of care for at-risk individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities who are unable to access home- and community-based services. These individuals are often at higher risk of institutionalization because they may lack daily living skills, are unable to manage their own care, or are unable to access the supports necessary to maintain their independence.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that persons eligible for home- and community-based services under this measure are those who are ineligible for other Medicaid programs for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2098, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2098, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair