Report Title:

UH Center on Aging Research and Education; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Center on Aging Research and Education to establish up to four faculty positions and for program expenses to develop methods to provide gerontological and aging education, curriculum and teaching development and coordination, outreach and community services, and student aid. (HB2116 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2116

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII CENTER ON AGING EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  During the 2007 interim, the joint legislative committee on family caregiving (committee) was provided with information and data from a variety of studies and surveys related to family caregiving and aging.  The studies and surveys presented emphasized the importance of research, education, and training in building a family caregiver support system that would allow Hawaii's elderly to age in place.

     The legislature finds that an inclusive, information-sharing, interdisciplinary center on aging is necessary to address the above needs.  The legislature also finds that such a center already exists at the University of Hawaii; the committee has identified the University of Hawaii center on aging research and education, which has expressed commitment to serve in this role.

     The center on aging was established by the University of Hawaii board of regents in 1988 to coordinate gerontological activities, establish gerontology as an academic field, and promote collaboration between the University of Hawaii and community organizations concerned with aging.  Today, the center on aging is known as the center on aging research and education and the growing needs of Hawaii's growing elderly population call for an expansion of the center.

     According to the center, its primary role is to:

     (1)  Promote, coordinate, and facilitate research, education, and training efforts related to aging and the enhancement of the quality of life for the state's elderly community;

     (2)  Coordinate education and training of health and legal service providers to care for the state's elderly community;

     (3)  Provide a venue for public-private discourse and development of sound public policy on aging;

     (4)  Direct communication and outreach activities related to aging;

     (5)  Maintain strong links with local and state entities with regard to aging issues;

     (6)  Lend its expertise to legislative committees that deal with aging issues;

     (7)  Coordinate and strengthen existing university courses and curriculum, as well as develop new interdisciplinary courses that focus on aging; and

     (8)  Participate in developing a consumer-directed care program for non-medicaid eligible elders.

     The purpose of this Act is to allow the center on aging research and education to carry out its mission to assure the well-being of Hawaii's elder population by appropriating funds to the center to establish up to four faculty positions and for program expenses to develop methods to provide gerontological and aging education, curriculum and teaching development and coordination, outreach and community services, and student aid.

     SECTION 2.  The University of Hawaii shall establish up to four faculty positions at the University of Hawaii center on aging research and education.  The faculty positions may be used to develop methods to provide gerontological and aging education, curriculum and teaching development and coordination, outreach and community services, and student aid.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for up to four faculty positions at the University of Hawaii center on aging research and education and for the program expenses necessary to implement section 2 of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2008.