STAND. COM. REP. NO.  842

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 607

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 607, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO KUPUNA CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1)  Direct the Executive Office on Aging to establish the Kupuna Caregivers Program to assist community members who are providing care to elders so they can stay in the workforce;

(2)  Clarify the Kupuna Care Program's long-term services and supports, to address the needs of Hawaii's adults age 60 years or older and their desire to remain in their own homes and communities as they age; and

(3)  Appropriate funds to establish and implement the Kupuna Caregivers Program.

The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Maui County Office on Aging; Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter; Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition; Hawaii Section of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Mental Health America of Hawaii; Faith Action for Community Equity; Hawaii Medical Association; Hawaii Public Health Association; AARP Hawaii; Caring Across Generations; Hagadone Printing; ILWU Local 142; and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Executive Office on Aging and an individual provided comments on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 607, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair