HB2160

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities experience disproportionate health disparities when compared to persons without disabilities. Compared to their non-disabled peers, persons with developmental or intellectual disabilities are more likely to experience fair or poor health, obesity, and diabetes.

Decades of research have clearly established that in the United States, people in minority groups often receive poor health care and have poor health outcomes resulting from social determinants of health. On a national level, racial and ethnic disparities in access to health care and health outcomes are a persistent, pervasive public health problem. However, less is known about the extent of racial and ethnic health disparities among adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

The legislature further finds that troubling gaps exist in data regarding the health disparities experienced by persons in the State with developmental or intellectual disabilities, and data regarding their social determinants of health. Further research is needed to address these gaps. This research will help Hawaii provide culturally appropriate health care, address barriers to health care access, reduce health disparities, and support individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities in their efforts to live healthy lives in the community.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the state council on developmental disabilities to study the health disparities experienced by persons in the State with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

SECTION 2. (a) The state council on developmental disabilities shall submit a report focused on the health disparities experienced by persons in the State with developmental or intellectual disabilities to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026. The report shall include:

(1) A definition of the State's developmental or intellectual disability population for public health administration purposes, including the health conditions, duration, and level of severity required to qualify for disability status;

(2) A definition of the social determinants of health as used by the United States Department of Health and Human Services;

(3) Population-level differences in health indicators and social determinants of health between persons in the State with developmental or intellectual disabilities and those without, including:

(A) Social determinants of health and health outcomes, including household income, employment status, education level, access to health information technology tools and systems, access to transportation, and social and community environment;

(B) Other indicators and determinants that contribute to an individual's physical and mental health;

(D) Ethnicity breakdown based on zip code; and

(E) Whether persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities experience worse health outcomes than their non-disabled peers;

(4) Any other information that would assist the State in determining safe, equitable, and culturally appropriate public health actions to improve health care and address the health disparities experienced by persons in the State with developmental or intellectual disabilities; and

(5) Any proposed legislation, including best practices, for the State to reduce the health disparities experienced by persons in the State with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

(b) For purposes of this Act, "health disparities" means population-level differences in health outcomes that are related to a history of social, economic, or environmental disadvantages that are avoidable and not primarily caused by the underlying health conditions that led to the disability.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the state council on developmental disabilities to compile and submit a report to the legislature prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026 focused on the health disparities experienced by persons in the State with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2160
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII