STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3635

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1853

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1853, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEMENTIA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to assist individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.

Specifically, this measure establishes and appropriates moneys for a Hanai Memory Network Program within the Executive Office on Aging to integrate community-based specialists, clinical partnerships, and public education to improve early detection, care coordination, and long-term support for individuals having dementia, and their caregivers.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Alzheimer's Association - Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and eleven individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Executive Office on Aging.

Your Committee finds that access to early diagnosis, care planning, and long-term support for individuals living with dementia and cognitive impairment is currently limited, especially in rural areas and on neighbor islands. Many residents face barriers to receiving timely and coordinated care due to geographic isolation, workforce shortages, and fragmented service delivery. Your Committee believes that the Hanai Memory Network Program established by this measure will help to address these issues and promote proactive care planning, thereby improving outcomes for kupuna and caregivers and alleviating pressure on the State's long-term care system.

If a Committee on Conference is convened on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that the Committee on Conference consider the amendments offered by the Alzheimer's Association - Hawaii, which would:

(1) Authorize, rather than require, the Executive Office on Aging's annual report to the Legislature to include information on the number of individuals screened and diagnosed, the number of care plans created, provider and caregiver satisfaction data, and proposed legislation; and

(2) Allocate moneys for four full-time equivalent dementia care specialists, instead of one full-time equivalent dementia care specialist.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1853, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair