STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2450

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2180

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2180 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require:

(1) The Department of Human Services' program requirements for chore services to include an assessment of whether the applicant has a family member who is available and capable of providing necessary chore services for the applicant;

(2) Income eligibility standards for chore services to include an assessment of whether the individual has the ability to pay a portion of the cost of the chore services they receive; and

(3) The Department of Human Services to improve access for disabled persons seeking chore services by taking certain actions and submitting a report to the Legislature.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committees find that the current Chore Services Program has accessibility flaws, including a restrictive disability ranking system, which can delay aid due to redundant paperwork and excessive recertification, and limits the scope for eligible applicants. This measure expands the Chore Services Program to increase access and impact of the program through updating the program's eligibility standards, seeking alternative funding sources, and streamlining application processes.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have required income eligibility standards for chore services to include an assessment of whether the individual has the ability to pay a portion of the cost of the chore services they receive; and

(2) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2180, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2180, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair