Bill Text: HI HB1878 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Aging and Disability Resource Centers; Fall Prevention; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 22-1)
Status: (Passed) 2016-06-30 - Act 138, on 06/29/2016 (Gov. Msg. No. 1240). [HB1878 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1878-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1878 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 2 |
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C.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AGING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
Part I
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that aging and disability resource centers help older adults, individuals with disabilities, and family caregivers find options for long-term supports and services available to them in the State. The aging and disability resource centers utilize a person-centered process intended to navigate and streamline access to supports and services. The legislature additionally finds that proper funding for the aging and disability resource centers is essential to ensure that these centers provide effective single points of entry for individuals seeking information about appropriate long-term care options. Ensuring the availability of services once a consumer receives a referral, such as those offered through the kupuna care program, is also critical to the success of the aging and disability resource centers.
Furthermore, aging and disability resource centers are operated by the area agencies on aging in each county. The executive office on aging is responsible to ensure that referrals and services are provided in a prompt and responsive manner and that the aging and disability resource centers staff have the appropriate skills and training to respond to kupuna and caregivers' needs.
SECTION 2. The executive office on aging shall develop a system of evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the aging and disability resource centers in each county to ensure alignment with federal guidance on the criteria for a full-functioning aging and disability resource center. Measures shall include, but not be limited to: timeliness of response by the aging and disability resource center; caller satisfaction; and number and percentage of kupuna and caregivers who are linked to a service or resource as a result of contact with an aging and disability resource center.
The executive office on aging shall submit a report of its evaluation findings to the legislature no later than sixty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2017 and 2018.
SECTION 3. The executive office on aging shall also submit a progress report to the legislature no later than sixty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2017 and 2018 on its implementation of the federal No Wrong Door/aging and disability resource center network implementation grant it received in 2015.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,700,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the aging and disability resource centers.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.
PART II
SECTION 5. 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 services 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 purpose of this part is to assure a continued focus on fall prevention in Hawaii, which will ultimately result in longer, healthier lives for the State's aging population.
SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $32,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for fall prevention and early detection services for the elderly.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.
Part III
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.
Report Title:
Aging and Disability Resource Centers; Fall Prevention; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) and for fall prevention and early detection services for the elderly. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to submit a report to the Legislature no later than 60 days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2017 and 2018 on its progress to develop a system of evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the ADRCs in each county and to implement the federal No Wrong Door/ADRC network implementation grant. (HB1878 CD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
