STAND. COM. REP. 543

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 169

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 169 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILY CAREGIVERS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide support for family caregivers by:

(1) Establishing an advisory board for family caregivers of seniors (Board);

(2) Authorizing a statewide family caregiver services coordinator (Coordinator) in the Executive Office on Aging (EOA); and

(3) Appropriating funds to:

(A) Hire a Coordinator;

(B) Cover the costs incurred by the Board in carrying out its duties; and

(C) Provide training for family caregivers and to provide respite services for families caring for a senior with special needs or a senior at risk of abuse or neglect.

 

 

AARP Hawaii, PABEA, and a concerned citizen submitted testimony in support of this bill. EOA submitted testimony supporting the intent of the bill.

Your Committees find that family caregivers are a vital component of the long-term care system and that government needs to support caregivers in this often difficult and costly role. Moreover, there is a need to coordinate and develop services and systems for family caregivers that benefit as many residents of the State as possible.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 169 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

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

 

____________________________

MICHAEL PUAMAMO KAHIKINA, Chair

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair