STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3629

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1976

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. 1976, 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 provide first responders with training and tools to better assist individuals living with dementia.

Specifically, this measure requires:

(1) The Executive Office on Aging to review and recommend a list of dementia-specific training curricula for agencies that employ first responders; and

(2) The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, fire chiefs, Law Enforcement Standards Board, and Department of Health to make available at least one hour of dementia-specific training for first responders, including law enforcement officers, fire first responders, and emergency medical services personnel.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, AARP Hawaii, Alzheimer's Association - Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, LeadingAge Pacific West, Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, and eight individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board.

Your Committee finds that as the number of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias increases, first responders will need to respond to dementia-related incidents more frequently. Your Committee believes that the program of dementia-specific training authorized by this measure will help first responders improve recognition, communication, and de-escalation skills when interacting with persons living with dementia. These skills will, in turn, help to reduce preventable hospitalizations, emergency interventions, and crises.

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. 1976, 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