Bill Text: HI SB2302 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 2302

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Long-term Care Facilities.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-1)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-19 - Referred to HHS, WAM. [SB2302 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-SB2302-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2302
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to long-term care facilities.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the safety and prosperity of our aging kupuna, especially those who require long-term care, are priorities of the State. The legislature further finds that several islands of the State, such as Molokai and Lanai, have very little to zero resources or facilities for long-term care patients. As a result, long-term care patients on these islands are required to travel to other islands to receive the treatment and services they need, which is a burdensome process for the elderly and their families.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Require the director of the executive office on aging to work with health care providers to ensure that there are sufficient long-term care facilities on each island of the State; and

(2) Make an appropriation.

SECTION 2. Section 349-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§349-3 General functions, duties, and powers of the director. The director shall have the following principal functions, duties, and powers:

(1) Serve as the principal official in state government solely responsible for the performance, development, and control of programs, policies, and activities on behalf of elders;

(2) Oversee, supervise, and direct the performance by the director's subordinates of activities in such areas as planning, evaluation, and coordination of elder programs and development of a statewide service delivery network;

(3) Assess the policies and practices of other agencies impacting on elders and conduct advocacy efforts for elders;

(4) Advise the governor on new legislation, programs, and policy initiatives and conduct such liaison as would be required to implement them;

(5) Serve as a member of advisory boards and regulatory panels of state agencies in such areas as income maintenance, public employment, retirement systems, certification of health care facilities and programs, social service and medical assistance, and housing and employment, among others;

(6) Administer funds allocated for the executive office on aging; and apply for, receive, and disburse grants and donations from all sources for elder programs and services;

(7) Establish a clearinghouse for complaints of persons regarding services to elders, or operations of state and county agencies affecting elders, investigate the complaints, and refer the complaints and the director's findings to the appropriate agency for corrective action;

(8) Work with health care providers to ensure that there are sufficient long-term care facilities on each island of the State in alignment with the state master plan for elders pursuant to section 349.6;

[~~(8)~~] (9) Adopt, amend, and repeal rules pursuant to chapter 91 for the purposes of this chapter;

[~~(9)~~] (10) Employ and retain [~~such~~] staff as may be necessary for the purposes of this chapter, in conformity with chapter 76; and

[~~(10)~~] (11) Contract for or grant [~~such~~] services as may be necessary for the purposes of this chapter, including master contract with other state agencies receiving federal and state funds for programs and services for the aging, and purchase of service agreements with appropriate agencies."

SECTION 3. 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 2024-2025 for the executive office of aging to work with health care providers to ensure that there are sufficient long-term care facilities on each island of the State.

The sum 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, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Executive Office on Aging; Long-Term Care Facilities; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Director of the Executive Office on Aging to work with health care providers to ensure that there are sufficient long-term care facilities on each island of the State. Makes an appropriation.

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