STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1068

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1252

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1252, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEMENTIA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate improved care for persons having Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to establish a specialized training program to educate health care providers on methods to best care for patients having Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia; and

(2) Appropriates moneys for the specialized training program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Alzheimer's Association - Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that healthcare providers do not often receive specialized training on treating patients who have dementia, including the different stages of the disease, the behavioral changes that may occur, and the complexities of care coordination. Your Committee further finds that this measure will create opportunities for healthcare providers to receive specialized training on new treatments and best practices that can improve the quality of life and slow the cognitive decline of dementia patients.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to upon its approval; and

(2) Making a technical nonsubstantive amendment for purposes of clarity and consistency.

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. 1252, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1252, 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