STAND. COM. REP. NO.  497

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 608

      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 Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 608 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support Hawaii's growing aging population by appropriating funds to the Department of Health for the Kupuna Care Program.

The Department of Community Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific Health, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, Child & Family Service, Alzheimer's Association Aloha Chapter, Catholic Charities Hawaii, AARP, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142, Manoa Cottage, Manoa Cottage Kaimuki, and many individuals supported this measure.  The Executive Office on Aging commented on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2075, to facilitate further discussion; and

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

     Should the Committee on Finance consider this measure, your Committee on Human Services respectfully requests that it consider appropriating $4,145,695 for each year of the 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium for the Kupuna Care Program.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 608, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 608, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DEE MORIKAWA, Chair