HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2009
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that existing medicaid and child care programs do not adequately account for situations in which disabled adults are responsible for caring for dependents. Eligibility rules often assume that family members can provide care for another household member without evaluating caregiver capacity, leaving families vulnerable when caregivers themselves face significant health or functional limitations. This gap can result in denial of essential services, increased caregiver strain, unsafe conditions for children or dependents, and even family separation or institutionalization.

The legislature further finds that federal medicaid rules require that family caregiving be voluntary and not presumed, but do not provide clear guidance on evaluating caregiver capacity. At the state level, child care subsidies are typically tied to a parent's employment or education, creating barriers for parents with disabilities who are unable to work but nevertheless require safe and reliable care for their children.

The purpose of this Act is to strengthen the safety net for Hawaii's most vulnerable families, prevent unnecessary institutionalization, and help families remain safe, stable, and together by establishing a disability and caregiver support working group to explore compliant and fiscally responsible approaches that address the longstanding gap affecting parents and guardians with disabilities whose caregiving capacity may be substantially impaired due to disability or serious medical conditions.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a disability and caregiver support working group to explore compliant and fiscally responsible approaches that address the longstanding gap affecting parents and guardians with disabilities whose caregiving capacity may be substantially impaired due to disability or serious medical conditions, while preserving federal funding integrity.

(b) The working group shall consist of the following members:

(1) The director of human services, or the director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the working group;

(2) The executive administrator of the Hawaii state council on developmental disabilities, or their designee;

(3) The executive director of the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, or their designee, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group;

(4) One member of the senate to be appointed by the president of the senate; and

(5) One member of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) The working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

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 2026-2027 for the purposes of this Act.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Department of Human Services; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Disability and Caregiver Support Working Group; Report; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a Disability and Caregiver Support Working Group to explore compliant and fiscally responsible approaches that address the longstanding gap affecting parents and guardians with disabilities whose caregiving capacity may be substantially impaired due to disability or serious medical conditions, while preserving federal funding integrity. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

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