THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1030

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to active aging.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's older adult population is growing rapidly and at a constantly increasing pace.  In response, the State has addressed the needs of "old-old" or "functionally frail" elders through initiatives to build infrastructure of elder care, focusing principally on the medically-defined needs of the frail, disabled, and dependent population.  Although these initiatives are vital to the health and wellbeing of Hawaii's elder population, initiatives focusing on the emerging "young-old" or "functionally able" population will help to cultivate the State's elders as a resource and community asset that can be tapped for their experience, skills, talents, social networks, and time.

     The legislature further finds that there is a paradigm shift in aging policy widely acknowledged within the professional field of gerontology that calls for changing the view of aging from that of a pathology to that of aging as an asset.  As part of this paradigm shift, the perspective known as active aging has emerged which emphasizes the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation in society, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age.  The framework of active aging is still evolving, but minimally advocates for avoiding disease and disability, promoting high cognitive and physical function, and maintaining engagement in life.

     The legislature additionally finds that the executive office on aging released a white paper in 2013 entitled Hawaii's 2020 Vision: The State of Active Aging, that outlined a plan to implement an active aging initiative.  This white paper provides a path toward a policy of active aging while the specific details of the initiative are updated and finalized.  Embracing a policy of active aging has the potential to provide great value to the health and wellbeing of Hawaii's elder population, as well as communities throughout the State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the executive office on aging to coordinate with the University of Hawaii center on aging to implement an active aging initiative; and

     (2)  Establish an active aging advisory committee.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The executive office on aging shall coordinate with the University of Hawaii center on aging to develop and implement an active aging initiative based on "Hawaii's 2020 Vision: The State of Active Aging", released by the executive office on aging in November, 2013.

     (b)  The executive office on aging and the University of Hawaii center on aging shall take into account the recommendations and findings of the active aging advisory committee established under section 3 of this Act when developing and implementing an active aging initiative.

     (c)  The executive office on aging may enter into contracts, pursuant to chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, when applicable, with public or private entities as necessary for the purposes of this section.

     SECTION 3.  (a)  There shall be established within the executive office on aging the active aging advisory committee that shall be composed of:

     (1)  The director of the executive office on aging, or the director's designee;

     (2)  The director of the University of Hawaii center on aging, or the director's designee;

     (3)  One resident of the county of Hawaii designated by the Hawaii county office of aging;

     (4)  One resident of the city and county of Honolulu designated by the city and county of Honolulu elderly affairs division;

     (5)  One resident of the county of Kauai designated by the county of Kauai agency on elderly affairs;

     (6)  One resident of the county of Maui designated by the Maui county office on aging;

     (7)  Two representatives of businesses primarily focused on meeting the needs of the elderly population designated by the director of the executive office on aging;

     (8)  Two representatives of nonprofit organizations primarily focused on meeting the needs of the elderly population designated by the director of the executive office on aging; and

     (9)  Two representatives of academic institutions or programs primarily focused on research relating to the needs of the elderly population designated by the director of the University of Hawaii center on aging.

     (b)  The active aging advisory committee shall review and update "Hawaii's 2020 Vision: The State of Active Aging", released by the executive office on aging in November, 2013, and generate an updated document that shall include but not be limited to:

     (1)  A section on planned active aging initiatives in subsequent state plans on aging;

     (2)  An inventory of active aging resources to assist older adults seeking guidance for employment, education, volunteering and civic engagement, wellness, and recreational opportunities;

     (3)  Identification of age-related economic opportunities and training for encore careers;

     (4)  Establishment of a "matching service registry" to gather information about needs and preferences of older workers to create a centralized, region-specific online resource where both sides can "match" with one another;

     (5)  A plan for the promotion, development and expansion of non-financial pre-retirement seminars to help older persons find purpose, remain engaged and continue to contribute to their communities that includes incentives for local businesses to include such seminars in their pre-retirement training;

     (6)  Curriculum plans for high schools to incorporate an "aging thread" within current course offerings and for community colleges and universities to teach and promote gerontology courses that include an active aging perspective, and incentives for those institutions to implement the plans; and

     (7)  Promotion of active aging as a new economic engine by showcasing Hawaii as the state of active aging via tourism, training, business incubation, research, and age friendly communities.

     (c)  The active aging advisory committee shall submit a preliminary report on the status of the committee's work to the members of the kupuna caucus no later than June 30, 2020, and shall submit a final report, including the updated document described in subsection (b), recommendations, and proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than September 30, 2021.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 to develop and implement the active aging initiative.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on aging for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Active Aging Initiative; Health; Older Adults; Executive Office on Aging; University of Hawaii Center on Aging; Kupuna Caucus; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the executive office on aging to coordinate with the University of Hawaii center on aging to implement an active aging initiative.  Establishes an active aging advisory committee.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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