STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3206

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 Health and Human Services, 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 and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Increase the monthly needs allowance from $50 to $75 for individuals residing in adult residential care homes, domiciliary homes, adult foster homes, and other 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, Department of Human Services, Disability and Communication Access Board, Executive Office on Aging, AARP Hawaiʻi, The Arc in Hawaii, Full Life, and fifteen individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State provides a personal needs allowance for individuals residing in adult residential care homes, domiciliary homes, adult foster homes, and other long-term care facilities, which allows recipients to purchase necessary items, such as clothing, toiletries, and meals, and covers other day-to-day living expenses. Your Committee further finds that despite the significant increase in the cost of living in Hawaii, allowance has not been increased since 2007, when the Legislature increased the monthly amount from $30 to $50. This measure increases the personal needs allowance for individuals in long-term care homes, allowing them more autonomy and dignity, and the ability to participate in their communities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have required the Department of Human Services to perform an annual review of the monthly needs allowance and submit a report to the Legislature;

(2) Inserting an effective date of October 1, 2024; and

(3) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose.

Your Committee notes the testimony of the Department of Human Services that if their program budget is not reduced in H.B. No. 1800, H.D. 1, Regular Session of 2024, the Department's current program budget appropriation will be sufficient to cover the needs allowance increase of $25, and that the Department will not need a general fund appropriation to accommodate the needs allowance increase proposed in this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair