STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1488

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 838

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 838, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow person-centered support plans under the Kupuna Caregivers Program to be developed by care recipients and their qualified caregivers and to allow qualified caregivers to remain in the workforce;

(2) Relax the thirty-hour per week employment requirement for qualified caregivers under the Kupuna Caregivers Program during a Governor-declared state of emergency;

(3) Allow the Kupuna Caregivers Program to be delivered through either traditional service delivery or kupuna caregiver-directed services;

(4) Allow the funds under the Kupuna Caregivers Program to be issued to the care recipient's  financial management service provider; and

(5) Require the Executive Office on Aging to submit an annual report to the Legislature regarding the Kupuna Caregivers Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; Executive Office on Aging; Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; AARP Hawai‘i; Rainbow Family 808; Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition; Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans; Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the services provided to caregivers and vulnerable adults through the Kupuna Caregivers Program are invaluable in helping to ensure their safety and health during the current state of emergency, possible job loss, and economic downturn. This measure seeks to reduce burdens on kupuna care services by providing additional flexibility to qualified caregivers and contracted providers.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 838, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 838, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair