STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1126

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1283

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1283, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require employers of first responders to develop and provide dementia training, including de-escalation tactics, to aid first responders when they encounter individuals exhibiting possible dementia behavior.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Alzheimer's Association Hawaii, AARP Hawai‘i, Alzheimer's Association Aloha Chapter, CareOps Consulting, LLC, and twenty-four individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Honolulu Police Department. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Executive Office on Aging.

Your Committees find that individuals with dementia often wander from home or safety and may not be able to recall their own address or name. When these individuals are lost, they can exhibit behaviors that appear uncooperative, disruptive, or combative, which may lead to more aggressive behaviors. Your Committees further find that first responders would benefit from training that would equip them to better manage encounters with individuals who may be suffering from dementia.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1283, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Health,

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair