STAND. COM. REP. NO. 385-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2455

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. 2455 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEMENTIA TRAINING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the development and provision of dementia training for first responders and investigators from the Department of Human Services' Adult Protective Services Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from AARP Hawaii; Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter; Manoa Cottage; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias may not respond in a manner typically anticipated by first responders. Your Committee further finds that investigators and staff from the Department of Human Services' Adult Protective and Community Services Branch regularly attend trainings on a variety of subject matters impacting vulnerable adults in the community, including trainings on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the employers of first responders, rather than the Department of Health, to develop and provide dementia training for first responders;

(2) Removing the requirement that the Department of Human Services develop and provide dementia training for investigators from the department's Adult Protective Services Program;

(3) Changing the effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) 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. 2455, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2455, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair