THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

902

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to Caregivers.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic strained the health care workforce pipeline.  While important initiatives to recruit and train new professionals are underway, investment in programs that support existing professional caregivers is needed.  Support for unpaid caregivers, such as family and friends, whose caregiving enables people to live at home, is also needed.

     The legislature also finds that several factors, including burnout, an aging workforce and population, rising costs of living, and greater demand for both institutional and at-home patient care, have increased pressure on paid and unpaid caregivers.  The per cent of Hawaii's population seventy-five years old and above is expected to double by 2045, from eight per cent of the population to fifteen per cent.  Supporting and retaining existing formal and informal caregivers will be more important than ever as Hawaii's population continues to age.

     The legislature further finds that supporting caregivers in both home and long-term care settings will ensure that people receive appropriate, timely care.  While there has been strong investment in training new employees, there must also be an investment in the existing workforce.  It is imperative that new candidates who believe in the mission of health care, and especially in providing services for older adults in post-acute care settings, are recruited and retained.

     The legislature further finds that health care employers and educators are competing with other industries to attract residents to health care programs.  A concerted effort to maximize federal dollars to address the health care workforce shortage by creating a robust workforce pipeline is a smart investment that will attract more local students interested in a self-sufficient career.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a caregiver workforce support and development center to develop and expand the State's long-term and home- and community-based caregiver workforce to effectively care for Hawaii's aging population.

     SECTION 2.  There is established within the executive office on aging a caregiver workforce support and development center.  The center may:

     (1)  In consultation with members of the education and health care industries, develop a comprehensive statewide recruitment and retention campaign to encourage more residents to enter the health care workforce;

     (2)  In consultation with appropriate organizations, develop programs to educate and train informal caregivers, including familial caregivers, to best practice informal caregiving;

     (3)  Provide professional development courses, including relating to interviewing, management, and leadership, for current employers and employees; and

     (4)  Develop an active aging strategy to keep kupuna and kupuna caregivers as healthy as possible.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the establishment of a caregiver workforce support and development center within the executive office on aging.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on aging for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Kupuna Caucus; Caregivers; Workforce; Development; Center; Executive Office on Aging; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Executive Office on Aging to establish a caregiver workforce support and development center.  Appropriates funds for the center's establishment.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.