STAND. COM. REP. NO. 975-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1976

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1976, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEMENTIA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require annual dementia-specific training for all first responders in Hawaii and to ensure that training content addresses recognition, assessment, and communication; abuse and neglect identification; caregiver engagement; disaster response; and safe return.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging; Disability and Communication Access Board; AARP Hawaiʻi; Hear 4 Hope; Alzheimer's Association-Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans; Alzheimer's Caregiving & The Caregivers; LeadingAge Pacific West; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Law Enforcement Standards Board.

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. 1976, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair