HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

391

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to human services.

 

 

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

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  Section 346-53, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The director shall determine the allowance for general assistance to households without minor dependents based upon the total amount appropriated for general assistance to households without minor dependents, and other funds appropriated to the department, among other relevant factors."

     SECTION 2.  Section 346-71, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:

     "(e)  Within the limitations of this section, the department shall by rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91, determine:

     (1)  The allowance for general assistance to households without minor dependents [based upon the total amount appropriated for general assistance to households without minor dependents;] pursuant to section 346-53(b);

     (2)  A method for determining assistance amounts; and

     (3)  Other necessary provisions to implement general assistance to households without minor dependents."

PART II

     SECTION 3.  The legislature finds that the national and global economic crisis that began in the second half of 2008 has caused significant economic problems in numerous industries in the State, including the airline, cruise ship, tourist, and construction industries.  Mass layoffs have been reported by an increasing number of Hawaii businesses statewide, from the agricultural sector to the medical-services sector.  Difficult economic times and declining tax revenues have resulted in budget cuts for many state services.

     The current and impending situation jeopardizes the safety net of basic human services needs for Hawaii's residents and families.  While all of Hawaii's residents will be affected by the situation, gap group families and families closest to the poverty line will suffer the most.

     The purpose of this part is to appropriate moneys to maintain the levels of programs determined to be essential to public welfare.

     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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Blueprint for Change for neighborhood place walk-in centers.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 5.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Hawaii Primary Care Association for the Hawaii immigrant health initiative program provided at federally qualified health centers.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 6.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for youth service centers.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 7.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Hale Mahaolu for personal care services.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 8.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the shelter plus care program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 9.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Hawaii Primary Care Association for adult dental care provided at federally qualified health centers; provided that the funds shall not be used for any other purpose.  The governor is authorized to utilize enhanced federal medical assistance percentages funds to offset the amount appropriated; provided that the total amount shall not exceed $        .  The department of human services shall report to the legislature on:

     (1)  The number of adults receiving these benefits;

     (2)  The cost per person;

     (3)  Total breakdown of administrative costs and other overhead costs; and

     (4)  Statistics, if available, on how this dental program is reducing the number of emergency dental-related medical procedures;

provided that the department of human services shall submit its report no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2014 regular session.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 10.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for Maui community college, University of Hawaii, for the adult dental care program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 11.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for outstationed eligibility worker services provided at federally qualified health centers.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 12.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Hawaii Primary Care Association for outreach services provided at federally qualified health centers.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 13.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Hawaii Primary Care Association for outreach services to locate uninsured children for services at federally qualified health centers.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 14.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Adult Friends for Youth for youth gang prevention and intervention services.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 15.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for child care subsidies.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 16.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Hawaii Centers for Independent Living for statewide independent living services.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 17.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to the office of youth services for a youth gang response system.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 18.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the united peer learning integrated new knowledge program for statewide non-school hour programs.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of youth services of the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 19.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Partners in Development Foundation to:

     (1)  Provide comprehensive family training (early childhood, parent, adult education, and intensive child-caregiver activities) and transitional services to sheltered and unsheltered homeless families on the leeward coast of Oahu;

     (2)  Offer early screening, assessment, and referral services for homeless children from birth to age five; and

     (3)  Prepare homeless children for kindergarten by providing developmentally appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive activities in a child-caregiver interactive learning environment.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 20.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the preschool open doors program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 21.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to The Children's Alliance of Hawaii, Inc., to provide child sex assault services.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

PART III

     SECTION 22.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the creation of        positions under the department of human services for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

PART IV

     SECTION 23.  Section 412:3-114.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§412:3-114.5[]]  Mandatory reporting of suspected financial abuse of an elder.  (a)  A financial institution shall report suspected financial abuse that is directed towards, targets, or is committed against an elder to the [department of human services] appropriate local law enforcement agency if:

     (1)  In connection with providing financial services to the elder, the officer or employee of a financial institution:

         (A)  Has direct contact with the elder; or

         (B)  Reviews or approves the elder's financial documents, records, or transactions; and

     (2)  The officer or employee, within the scope of employment or professional practice:

         (A)  Observes or has knowledge of an incident the officer or employee believes in good faith appears to be financial abuse; or

         (B)  In the case of officers or employers who do not have direct contact with the elder, has a good faith suspicion that financial abuse has occurred or may be occurring, based solely on the information present at the time of reviewing or approving the document, record, or transaction.

     (b)  Suspected financial abuse shall be reported [immediately] to the [department] appropriate local law enforcement agency immediately by telephone and followed by a written report sent within five business days.

     [(c)  Upon notification by a financial institution of suspected financial abuse, the department, in a timely manner, shall determine whether the department has jurisdiction over the elder involved; and if not, shall notify the financial institution, which shall then notify the proper local law enforcement agency immediately by telephone and forward the written report to the agency within three business days.  A financial institution shall not be liable for failing to report suspected financial abuse to a local law enforcement agency in cases in which the department fails to notify the institution of the department's lack of jurisdiction.

     (d)] (c)  Notwithstanding any other state law to the contrary, including but not limited to laws concerning confidentiality, any person, including the financial institution, who:

     (1)  Participates in the making of a report pursuant to this section; and

     (2)  Believes, in good faith, that the action is warranted by facts known to that person,

shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might be otherwise incurred or imposed by or as a result of the making of the report.  Any person making the report shall have the same immunity with respect to participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from the report.

     [(e)] (d)  For the purposes of this section:

     ["Department" means the department of human services.]

     "Elder" means a person who is [sixty-two] sixty years of age or older.

     "Financial abuse" means financial abuse or economic exploitation."

PART V

     SECTION 24.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346-     National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline; printable poster.  (a)  The department may make available on its public website information on the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline and an electronic version of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline poster for establishments to print.  The poster shall be no smaller than eight and one-half inches by eleven inches in size that states the following:

     "If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave – whether it is commercial sex, housework, farm work, or any other activity – call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services.

     Victims of human trafficking are protected under United States and Hawaii law.

     The hotline is:

     (1)  Available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week;

     (2)  Toll-free;

     (3)  Operated by a nonprofit, non-governmental organization;

     (4)  Anonymous and confidential;

     (5)  Accessible in one hundred-seventy languages; and

     (6)  Able to provide help, referral to services, training, and general information."

     (b)  A poster required under subsection (a) shall be printed in English, Spanish, and any other languages mandated by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, P.L. 89-110, in the county where the poster will be posted."

PART VI

     SECTION 25.  The purpose of this part is to alleviate the current gap in service for survivors of human trafficking by establishing a task force to develop a comprehensive plan to coordinate services for survivors of human trafficking.

     SECTION 26.  (a)  There is established a task force within the department of human services to develop a comprehensive state plan to coordinate services for survivors of human trafficking.

     (b)  The director of human services or the director's designee shall oversee the task force and shall coordinate the development of the state plan on services for survivors of human trafficking.  The task force shall consist of the following members or their designee:

     (1)  The director of human services;

     (2)  One senate member to be selected by the senate president;

     (3)  One house member to be selected by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (4)  Two representatives of human trafficking victims' organizations; one to be selected by the senate president and one to be selected by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (5)  Two victims of human trafficking; one to be selected by the senate president and one to be selected by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

     (6)  Any other members as the director of human services or the director's designee, as the chair of the task force, deems appropriate.

     (c)  The task force shall create a state plan on the coordination of services for survivors of human trafficking.  The activities of the task force shall include but not be limited to:

     (1)  Gathering and disseminating information to law enforcement agencies and the offices of the prosecuting attorney in each county, the department of the attorney general, the department of human services, the office of community services, nonprofit organizations, and the public on available services for survivors of human trafficking.  Services for survivors of human trafficking shall include but not be limited to:

         (A)  Case management;

         (B)  Emergency temporary housing;

         (C)  Health care;

         (D)  Mental health counseling;

         (E)  Drug addiction screening and treatment;

         (F)  Language interpretation and translation services;

         (G)  English language instruction;

         (H)  Job training and placement assistance;

         (I)  Post-employment services and job retention;

         (J)  Transportation services; and

         (K)  Services to assist the individual and any of the individual's family members to establish permanent residency in the State of Hawaii or other localities in the United States;

     (2)  Identifying a single point of access for individuals or organizations that need assistance or guidance in navigating the processes and regulations of state agencies to services for survivors of human trafficking or projects that promote services for survivors of human trafficking;

     (3)  Designating the department of human services as the appropriate agency to provide services to income-qualified, United States citizens and "qualified immigrants" who are survivors of human trafficking and the office of community services as the appropriate agency to provide services to "disadvantaged, refugee, and immigrant" survivors of human trafficking;

     (4)  Identifying a single executive department or a division within a department to establish a program for coordinating services for survivors of human trafficking; and

     (5)  Proposing legislation and making recommendations to the governor regarding human trafficking.

     (d)  The director of human services shall submit a report of the task force's activities, including recommendations and proposed legislation, if any, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2015.  The working group shall dissolve on June 30, 2015.

     (e)  For the purposes of this part, "survivor of human trafficking" means a person:

     (1)  Who has had or now has the condition or status of debt bondage, involuntary servitude, severe forms of trafficking in persons, or sex trafficking, as those terms are defined in title 22 United States Code section 7102;

     (2)  Whose prostitution was promoted or advanced by any of the means set forth in section 712-1202(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes; or

     (3)  Who was subject to performing labor or services by any of the means described in section 707-781(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (f)  The members of the task force shall not receive compensation for their services.

PART VII

     SECTION 27.  The legislature finds that medicaid is the cornerstone of health care for the most needy within Hawaii.  Furthermore, the legislature has previously recognized that it is in the public interest to ensure that health care payments made with state funds or controlled by the State are sufficient to cover the actual costs of care.  However, inadequate payment and reimbursement from medicaid have compromised access to medical care not only for the uninsured and those covered by medicaid but also for individuals who are covered by private employer-based health insurance.

     According to numerous media reports, there is an inadequacy of medical care services that has reached a critical level, especially in specialty-care coverage in rural areas and on the neighbor islands.  Hawaii's physicians serving medicaid-eligible persons have also been adversely affected by the inadequacy of medicaid reimbursements and payments.

     The legislature also finds that for a two-year period beginning January 1, 2013, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 mandates that states reimburse primary care providers at one hundred per cent of medicare rates for primary care services provided to medicaid recipients.  This increased reimbursement will be one hundred per cent federally funded.  However, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, reimbursement for primary care services provided to children's health insurance program recipients, namely children and pregnant women, will not be increased.

     The purpose of this part is to increase the payment for primary care physician services provided to children and pregnant women covered under the children's health insurance program to be equal to such reimbursement provided to medicaid recipients.

     SECTION 28.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to increase the payment for primary care physician services provided to children and pregnant women covered under the children's health insurance program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part; provided that:

     (1)  The sum is equitably distributed among the fee-for-service, QUEST, and QUEST expanded access health plans based on enrollment of children's health insurance program recipients, so that payment for these physician services can be increased;

     (2)  The department of human services shall include in its budget request for the 2014-2016 fiscal biennium a sum at least equal to the sum appropriated pursuant to this section, in addition to its baseline request under HMS 401, that will allow for increased moneys to be paid out for primary care services provided by primary care physicians to children's health insurance program recipients; and

     (3)  The department of human services shall report the amount of the baseline medicaid sum and the additional funds to be paid out for physician services, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2014 and 2015.

PART VIII

     SECTION 29.  The department of human services shall collaborate with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, the Hawaii Long Term Care Association, nursing facility providers, and home- and community-based service providers, including adult residential care homes and foster family homes, to develop a revised methodology for determining the level of acuity of nursing facility residents who are medicaid recipients, including those with complex medical conditions, to set reimbursements at levels that are fair and equitable.  The department of human services and the collaborating organizations and providers shall submit to the legislature a joint report containing recommendations and an implementation plan no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.

     SECTION 30.  The department of human services shall work with the department of health to develop an equitable referral system relating to the discharge of patients from hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities based on the patient's acuity level for proper placement in either an adult residential care home, community care foster family home, or an expanded adult residential care home.

PART IX

     SECTION 31.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 32.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________


 


Report Title:

Department of Human Services; Public Safety, Health, Education, and Welfare; Omnibus; Appropriation

 

Description:

Allows the department of human services to draw from other funds appropriated to the department of human services in the event the general assistance appropriation is insufficient to meet General Assistance benefits payments.  Appropriates moneys to maintain funding levels of programs for public welfare.  Creates an unspecified amount of positions under the department of human services for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.  Requires financial institutions to report suspected financial abuse of an elder to appropriate law enforcement.  Authorizes the department of human services to place on its public website information and printable posters on the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline.  Creates a task force on human trafficking and specifies members.  Appropriates funds to increase payments for primary care physician services provided to children and pregnant women covered under the children's health insurance program.  Requires the department of human services to report to the legislature baseline medicaid and additional funds needed for fiscal years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.  Requires the department of human services to seek an appropriation in an amount equal to at least the amount appropriated in 2013-2014 for additional payments for physician services during the 2014-2016 fiscal biennium.  Allows for a fair and equitable reimbursement system for all clients under the medicaid program for community based caregiver services.  Allows for a fair and equitable referral system for clients transferring from hospitals to community-based care homes.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.