STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2170

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.C.R. No. 185

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 185, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING TO WORK IN CONCERT WITH THE HAWAII BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE, HAWAII BROADBAND HUI, AND AARP HAWAI‘I, TO DEVELOP A STANDARD TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR KUPUNA AND CAREGIVERS ON HOW TO SELECT AND PURCHASE APPROPRIATE BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY EQUIPMENT AND AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT SUCH AS TABLETS, AND HOW TO OPERATE EQUIPMENT TO ACCESS TELEHEALTH SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Executive Office on Aging to work with the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office, Hawaii Broadband Hui, and AARP Hawai‘i to develop a standard training workshop for kupuna and caregivers on how to select and purchase appropriate broadband connectivity equipment and audiovisual equipment to access telehealth services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Executive Office on Aging.

Your Committee finds that telehealth and online doctor visits can increase access to health care for vulnerable populations. However, technologies to increase health care access are limited in rural areas of the State and for kupuna who lack familiarity with digital access options. A standard training workshop for kupuna and caregivers on selecting, purchasing, and operating equipment to enhance connectivity would enhance the availability of telehealth services to those most in need.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 185, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair