THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

536

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to fall prevention.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that every year in Hawaii, on average eighty-five seniors die, 1,960 are hospitalized, and 8,700 are treated in emergency departments as a result of falls.  Falls among the elderly also result in almost $1,200,000 in hospital and physician charges.  In recognition of this critical public health issue, Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014, established a fall prevention and early detection coordinator position within the department of health's emergency medical services and injury prevention system branch.  This position enables the department of health to support a coordinated statewide approach to prevent and reduce the impact of falls among older adults.  Act 153 funded a new position for a fall prevention and early detection coordinator for fiscal year 2014 to 2015.

     The legislature further finds that access to fall prevention services and programs would significantly reduce costs associated with falls in the elderly by expediting treatment, minimizing serious long-term consequences, reducing the extent of the injury, and in some instances, avoiding death.

     Falls among the elderly are a significant public health issue.  Yet, currently, there are insufficient resources to develop a coordinated statewide approach to reduce and promptly detect falls among the elderly.  The program serves as a focal point for statewide injury prevention and detection efforts to ensure multidisciplinary support, coordination of prevention and detection efforts, and continuity of implementation and accountability.

     The legislature further finds that continued support of fall prevention programs and services ultimately results in longer, healthier lives for the State's aging population.

     The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation to the department of health for the full-time equivalent fall prevention and early detection coordinator position established by Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $95,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the full-time equivalent fall prevention and early detection coordinator position established by Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Kupuna Caucus; Fall Prevention; DOH; Appropriation

 

Description:

Makes an appropriation to the department of health for the full-time equivalent fall prevention and early detection coordinator position established by Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014.

 

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.