STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3402

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2615

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2615, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOCIAL SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the monthly personal needs allowance for individuals living in adult residential care homes, developmental disabilities domiciliary homes, community care foster family homes, certified adult foster homes, and other long-term care facilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Executive office on Aging.

Your Committee finds that the current monthly needs allowance is presently set at $50 per month for individuals residing in foster homes, care homes, domiciliary homes, and other long-term care facilities. This amount has not been increased in thirteen years. The monthly needs allowance is used by residents in these homes and facilities for basic needs and other costs of day-to-day living. The present allowance of $50 per month is insufficient for the allowances intended purpose.

Your Committee recognizes that raising the personal needs allowance is vital to keep pace with inflation and provide financial independence and control for individuals who benefit from the allowance.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2615, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

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RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair