STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1127-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2342

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 2342, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KUPUNA CAREGIVERS PROGRAM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to support the work of the Kupuna Caregivers Program by:

 

     (1)  Reducing the number of hours per week, from thirty hours to twenty hours, that an individual must be employed to be a qualified caregiver under the Kupuna Caregivers Program; and

 

     (2)  Appropriating funds for proper implementation of the Kupuna Caregivers Program.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; AARP Hawaii; Pono Hawaii Initiative; Church of the Crossroads; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition; Faith Action for Community Equity; Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter; and four individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Executive Office on Aging.

 

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's older adult population continues to rise, with more and more elderly relying on caregivers who provide help to the elderly in the activities of daily living, attendant care, personal care, and transportation, among other services.  Your Committee recognizes that caregivers play a critical role in fulfilling an important role and responsibility in communities throughout the State.  Your Committee also recognizes that caregivers must take care of themselves and obtain the necessary supports to sustain their own health as well as the health of the family member for whom they are caring.  The Kupuna Caregivers Program provides working caregivers with resources and support to care for elders while enabling the caregivers to remain in the workforce.  Your Committee further finds that the appropriation in this measure will expand the Kupuna Caregivers Program to reach more caregivers and care recipients.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing language that would have reduced the amount of hours that an individual must be employed to be a qualified caregiver under the Kupuna Caregivers Program; and

 

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

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2342, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2342, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair