STAND. COM. REP. 357

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 800

H.D. 1

 

 

 

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. 800 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEPENDENT ADULTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to require a family or household member of a dependent adult who the family or household member knows to be in need of medical treatment or care, to promptly seek medical care, or report the matter to the Department of Human Services (DHS) or a county police department.

The Honolulu Police Department testified in support of this measure. The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu and Christian Science Committee on Publication for Hawaii supported the intent of this measure and suggested amendments. DHS opposed this measure.

Your Committees believe this measure will compel individuals who know or care for dependent adults to be diligent in providing necessary medical care. Although most individuals would assist someone who needs medical treatment or care, there have been cases where care was not obtained. In some cases, the dependent adult died because of lack of care.

 

Your Committees have amended this bill by:

(1) Clarifying that medical care includes necessary health care, access to health care, and prescribed medication; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, conformity, and style.

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. 800, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 800, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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