STAND. COM. REP. NO. 228

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1252

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1252 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEMENTIA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to establish a specialized training program to educate health care providers on caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, and appropriate funds therefor.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Alzheimer's Association – Hawaii, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that there is a critical need for specialized training programs to equip health care providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver high-quality care to patients living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Your Committee further finds that specialized dementia training is needed as many primary care providers indicate that they received little education on dementia care in school. This measure addresses a significant gap in the State's health care system and will benefit patients, families, and caregivers across the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1252, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1252, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair