Bill Text: HI HB467 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Relating To The Kupuna Caregivers Program.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 27-4)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-04-18 - Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 917). [HB467 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-HB467-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

467

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the kupuna caregivers program.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that in 2017, 17.8 per cent of Hawaii's population was sixty-five years or older, and with projections of an increase to 19.4 per cent by 2020 and 23 per cent by 2030, caring for Hawaii's kupuna is a high priority of the legislature.

     The legislature finds that currently there are 154,000 unpaid family caregivers in Hawaii who are taking care of their parents, spouse, or other relatives who need extra care.  Family caregivers play a crucial role in the State's health care system by providing long-term care to the elderly, all unpaid.  However, it is imperative to ensure that the caregivers take care of themselves and have the necessary support and services to sustain their own health as well as the health of the family member for whom they are caring.

     To address this issue, the kupuna caregivers program was established on July 6, 2017, and aims to provide working caregivers with additional resources to cover a variety of support services such as:  adult day care, assisted transportation, homemaker services, and many more important services to qualified kupuna.  The program ensures that caregivers continue earning their own retirement benefits, which helps businesses retain experienced workers and provides peace of mind that loved kupuna are well cared for while caregivers remain in the workforce.  This program allows caregivers who are juggling their own employment with their caregiving responsibilities to simultaneously take care of their kupuna and themselves.

     Since the establishment of the kupuna caregivers program, the executive office on aging has reportedly received hundreds of calls from Hawaii residents wishing to receive the benefits of the program.  While the creation of the program was an important first step, the legislature believes that the program requires additional third and fourth year funding to have the impact it needs.  With the high volume of residents showing interest in the program, the current funding needs to be increased in order to better serve the people of Hawaii.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the implementation of the kupuna caregivers program.

     SECTION 2.  Section 349-18, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The kupuna caregivers program shall award an allocation of funds, subject to the availability of funding and up to a maximum of [$70 per day,] $350 per week, to cover costs for the following services that would otherwise be performed by the qualified caregiver for the care recipient:

     (1)  Adult day care;

     (2)  Assisted transportation;

     (3)  Chores;

     (4)  Home-delivered meals;

     (5)  Homemaker services;

     (6)  Personal care;

     (7)  Respite care; or

     (8)  Transportation;

provided that the allocated funds shall be issued directly to the service provider upon request and receipt of an invoice for services rendered."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for proper implementation of the kupuna caregivers program.

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

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Kupuna Caucus; Kupuna Caregivers Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Changes the kupuna caregivers program allocation cap from $70 per day to $350 per week.  Appropriates funds for implementation of the kupuna caregivers program.

 

 

 

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

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