STAND. COM. REP. NO. 622

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 1250

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1250 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a long-term care tax credit to reduce the costs of long-term care insurance.

Your Committees find that much is known and being done to alleviate the plight of the elderly receiving long-term care. Your Committees have supported tax incentives for individuals and employers to encourage the purchase of long-term care insurance. But thus far, little has been done to support the caregiver, the person who is often times the most critical element with respect to the care and health of long-term care recipients.

Accordingly, your Committees have amended the bill by replacing its contents relating to long-term care insurance premium tax credits -- which have already been addressed by the Committees, with a tax credit to benefit long-term care caregivers. The caregiver tax credit will be $500 for each eligible care recipient and available during taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, until June 30, 2010. This tax credit will provide caregivers with well-deserved assistance so that they can continue helping and serving the elderly.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1250, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1250, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

 

____________________________

ALEX M. SONSON, Chair

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair