Report Title:

Department of Human Services; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates moneys for the nursing home without walls and chore services programs to support and expand the level of elderly and disabled care services in Hawaii.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1513

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that as Hawaii's population ages, additional demands will be placed on Hawaii's elder care service programs. These programs not only provide critical services to Hawaii's elderly population, but also assist families caring for aging family members. Currently, state-sponsored elder care programs are under-funded. Therefore, it is vital that additional financial assistance be made available to ensure the continued availability of these services.

Nursing home without walls is a high quality elder care program offered by the department of human services. This program is facing increased demand by elderly members of society which has led to an increase in administrative as well as operational expenses and costs. Additional state funds must be made available to support as well as expand this state-sponsored program.

The legislature also finds that programs servicing Hawaii's disabled and elderly populations are also not receiving adequate financial support. It is vital that these services not be interrupted or severely cut back due to a lack of financial resources. The chore services program in the department of human services is an important provider of both elderly and disabled services. It has also faced increased demand and costs as more individuals seek to make use of the elder care and disabled assistance services available under this important program.

The purpose of this Act is provide increased financial assistance to the nursing home without walls and chore services programs in the department of human services.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, for the purpose of supporting and expanding the nursing home without walls program so that this program can continue to provide high quality elder care-related services to Hawaii's elderly population.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, for the purpose of supporting and expanding the chore services program so that this program can continue to provide high quality elder care as well as disabled services to Hawaii's elderly and disabled populations.

SECTION 5. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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