STAND. COM. REP. NO. 885

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1142

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1142, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish Kupuna Caregiver-Directed services as a method for delivery of the Kupuna Caregivers program.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Clarifies the definitions of "coach," "person-centered support plant," and "support plan," as those terms relate to Kupuna Care and caregiver support services;

(2) Allows an otherwise eligible caregiver working reduced hours during a declared state of emergency to be considered a qualified caregiver for purposes of Kupuna Care and caregiver support services;

(3) Defines "financial management service provider," as the term relates to Kupuna Care and caregiver support services;

(4) Establishes the following Kupuna Caregivers program delivery options, including the requirements for each: traditional service delivery and Kupuna Caregiver-Directed services; and

(5) Allows for the issuance of Kupuna Caregivers program moneys directly to financial management service providers upon request and receipt of an invoice for services rendered.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Executive Office on Aging, AARP Hawaii, Aloha Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, Hale Hauoli Hawaii, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans.

Your Committee finds that allowing for the Kupuna Caregivers program to be delivered through Kupuna Caregiver-Directed services will allow program participants to direct their own services and address their own needs instead of receiving services only through specific contracted service providers. Your Committee also finds that allowing for the issuance of Kupuna Caregivers program moneys directly to financial management service providers will help to prevent the financial exploitation of the State's vulnerable kupuna population.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1142, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1142, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair