STAND. COM. REP. NO. 795-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1974

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Increase the monthly needs allowance for certain long-term care facilities;

(2) Clarify that the needs allowance is not intended to replace or affect funds received from the federal Supplemental Security Income program;

(3) Require certain long-term care facility operators to pay for generic toiletries, linens, and meals and snacks;

(4) Clarify the individuals who are eligible to receive the needs allowance; and

(5) Require the Department of Human Services to perform an annual review of the needs allowance and report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities; AARP Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Friends of Civil Rights; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Executive Office on Aging.

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

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair