STAND. COM. REP. NO.  239-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2098

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 2098 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish and implement a program to provide additional home- and community-based services to individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities who are at risk of institutionalization;

 

     (2)  Require DHS to apply for an amendment to the QUEST Integration Section 1115 Demonstration Project to provide coverage for home- and community-based services for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities by December 31, 2020; and

 

     (3)  Appropriate funds to DHS to establish and implement the program.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Psychological Association and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that there is a gap in the continuum of care for at-risk individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities who are transitioning out of services provided by the Department of Education and the Department of Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division.  These individuals are often at-risk of institutionalization because they may not receive proper supports to ensure their transition to and through adulthood.  This measure is intended to provide essential supports to at-risk individuals as they transition from youth to adulthood to maximize their independence and potential to thrive throughout life.

 

     At its public hearing, your Committee noted the testimony of DHS and stakeholders that S.B. No. 3122 (Regular Session of 2020) is a substantially similar measure and is the preferred starting point for continued discussion on this topic.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting its contents and inserting the contents of S.B. No. 3122, a substantially similar measure, which:

 

          (A)  Requires DHS, upon approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to establish and implement a program for providing home- and community-based services to at-risk individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who do not meet Medicaid's institutional level of care criteria for home- and community-based services;

 

          (B)  Requires DHS to seek approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, no later than June 30, 2021, to provide coverage for home- and community-based services for Medicaid eligible individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are at risk for institutionalization; and

 

          (C)  Appropriates funds for DHS to establish and implement a home- and community-based services program for these at-risk individuals;

 

     (2)  Changing its effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2098, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2098, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair