STAND. COM. REP. 2482

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.B. No. 2605

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2605 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADULT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the level of care payments and to appropriate funds.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Hawaii Coalition of Care Home Administrators, the United Group of Home Operators, Mililani Care Home, Mellie Malabed Care Home, and Cacal's Care Home. The Department of Human Services submitted testimony in opposition.

Your Committee finds that the majority of adult residential care home (ARCH) residents are medicaid clients. Due to the higher cost of living in Hawaii, it is becoming more difficult to operate an ARCH for these residents who need constant care. The State needs to encourage more care home operators to open up and provide alternative living arrangements for our elders. This measure will provide a fair compensation to those who care for the elderly and physically challenged.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2605 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair