STAND. COM. REP. NO. 199-04

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.B. No. 2457

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2457 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEPENDENT ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to protect dependent adults by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Human Services (DHS) to inform and provide information to the police of all reports received regarding dependent adult abuse or neglect;

(2) Requiring DHS to maintain confidentiality of individuals who report dependent adult abuse or neglect if the individual wishes to remain anonymous; and

(3) Authorizing the police to access records of dependent adult abuse and neglect.

DHS, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, Adult and Community Care Services Branch Advisory Council, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.

 

Your Committees find that there are many cases of dependent adult abuse and neglect in Hawaii. DHS' testimony states that in 2003, DHS investigated a total of 482 cases of dependent adult abuse. Laws need to be strengthened to prevent abuse and neglect from occurring, and to protect the growing elderly population in the state. Your Committees believe this measure will facilitate inter-agency coordination, and may encourage people to report abuse if confidentiality is maintained.

Your Committees amended this bill by:

(1) Removing reference to investigations with regard to providing information to the police or prosecuting attorney; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2457, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2457, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health,

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair

____________________________

MICHAEL PUAMAMO KAHIKINA, Chair