STAND. COM. REP. NO. 615

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 1283

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1283 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require that employers of first responders develop and provide dementia training to first responders.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Police Department, Alzheimer's Association, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that persons suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease may appear uncooperative, disruptive, and combative when they have difficulty communicating and understanding what is happening, all behaviors that may complicate their interactions with first responders. This measure seeks to improve the safety of first responders and individuals suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's through the development of training for first responders that teaches how to recognize the signs of dementia and Alzheimer's and includes best practices for interaction with persons with dementia and Alzheimer's.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Permitting the Executive Office on Aging to set standards, frequency, and coordination for dementia training, rather than the Department of Health;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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 Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1283, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1283, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair