STAND. COM. REP. NO. 963

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 561

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 561 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CAREGIVER COORDINATOR POSITION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a full-time, permanent program specialist in aging position in the Executive Office on Aging.

In Hawaii, we have a history and tradition of caring for our ohana. Family caregiving is not only an alternative to institutional care and its rising cost, it is a matter of family values and the preference of families to remain together with elderly family members at home as long as possible.

Family caregivers make many sacrifices to care for family members. Caregiving clearly impacts a caregiver's employment, economic situation, and personal life. Moreover, family caregivers often face innumerable challenges as they seek, apply for, and coordinate the support services they require.

As our elderly population grows, so does the need for family caregiver support services. The establishment of a full-time program specialist in aging position will ensure the development and coordination of these services statewide.

Your Committee has amended this bill by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments have also been made for the purposes of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 561, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 561, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair