STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3413

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2692

H.D. 2

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. 2692, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the number of hours a primary caregiver may be absent from a community care foster family home when a substitute caregiver is present.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Big Island Adult Foster Home Operators, Hawaii Caregivers Coalition, Adult Foster Homecare Association of Hawaii, Big Island Adult Foster Home Association, and eleven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that many operators of community care foster family homes struggle to keep up with operational needs. Often, they are unable to leave their homes to procure supplies, continue their education, and address incidental matters relating to their operation because of existing requirements. Allowing primary caregivers more flexibility to run their operations, while ensuring that substitute caregivers, who are held to the same standards and receive the same training as primary caregivers, are present, will help primary caregivers better serve their clients in these community settings.

Your Committee has amended this measure by broadening the requirements established by administrative rules for primary and substitute caregivers caring for three clients in community care foster family homes to allow for primary caregivers to be absent from the community care foster family home if a substitute caregiver is present.

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. 2692, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2692, H.D. 2, 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