STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3752

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1974

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase, from $50 to $75, the state-provided needs allowance for individuals living in various long-term care homes or facilities.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Executive Office on Aging, AARP Hawaii, Aloha United Way, ILWU - Local 1000/Sebastian's Arch LLC, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the needs allowance has not been increased since 2007 and that increasing the amount is essential to compensate for the rising cost of goods and services.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair