STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2529

Honolulu, Hawaii

,

RE: S.B. No. 238

S.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 238, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ELDERLY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation and establish a community-based disaster planning and preparedness pilot program for older individuals who lack family or service agency support.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Volunteer Resource Center of Hawaii. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committees find that the elderly are a very vulnerable population in Hawaii, especially in the event of a disaster. These individuals cannot rely solely on government support in the event of a major disaster occurs. This has been evidenced by the recent events occurring during and after Hurricane Katrina.

Your Committees find that a model program that is volunteer-and community-based will be the most effective way to ensure the safety of the elderly in the event of a major disaster and will set up an example of success for future programs.

Your Committees amended this measure by omitting the advisory group provision and including a more effective volunteer-and community-based pilot program called the disaster planning and preparedness pilot program for older individuals. It will be initiated through the Executive Office on Aging in conjunction with volunteer organizations.

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 S.B. No. 238, S.D. 1, as amended herein, recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 238, S.D. 2.

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

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SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair