STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3467

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2110

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2110, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Clarify the group of professionals who are prohibited from knowingly referring or transferring patients to an uncertified or unlicensed care facility; and

(2) Repeal the provision that a landlord, under specified conditions, shall not be deemed to be providing home care services or operating a care facility that requires a license.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, ILWU Local 142, ARCA, Big Island Adult Foster Home Association, Big Island Adult Foster Home Operators, and seven individuals.

Your Committee finds that individuals needing the care of another are often elderly, disabled, or minors. In situations where care is being provided by non-family members, it is essential that these caregiver facilities and the individuals providing care in these facilities meet the appropriate requirements and training. Your Committee further finds that many elderly and disabled individuals who need long-term care services and support are living in unlicensed homes. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that care is properly and diligently provided for the health, safety, and welfare of the State's kupuna and other vulnerable populations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language that requires the Department of Health to prioritize complaint allegations based on severity; for investigations of state-licensed or state-certified care facilities; and

(2) 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. 2110, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2110, 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