HB2154

Report Title:

Developmental Disabilities; Domiciliary Homes; Residential Services

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of health to contract with providers of domiciliary homes and operators of developmental disabilities apartment complexes that provide residential services to persons with developmental disabilities.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2154
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation to the department of health.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that providers and operators of domiciliary homes and apartment complexes offer valuable residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental retardation who are unable to live independently and who require supervision or care. Despite additional funding through the department of health, domiciliary home providers and apartment complex operators experience difficulty in providing much needed services to persons whose care has been entrusted to the State of Hawaii.

One provider, the Arc in Hawaii, has had to close four community-based residences on Oahu and four community-based residences on Kauai. Many providers and operators have expressed frustration at their inability to fully staff essential positions and provide adequate resources to serve persons with developmental disabilities. The legislature believes that lack of funding from the State will result in more closures of domiciliary homes and apartment complexes.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of health to contract with providers of domiciliary homes and operators of apartment complexes that provide residential services for persons with developmental disabilities.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for residential services to persons with developmental disabilities.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________