Bill Text: HI HB763 | 2015 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Seniors; Executive Office on Aging; Intergenerational Playground; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2015-03-24 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [HB763 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2015-HB763-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
763 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE ELDERLY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The nation-wide trend toward an aging population is evident in Hawaii. Projections estimate that by 2030 the elderly population will represent twenty per cent of the populations for each county, as well as the State as a whole: one out of every five individuals statewide will be aged sixty-five or older. To address this growing population, the mayor of the city and county of Honolulu has joined the network of age-friendly cities and communities program by establishing an age-friendly city initiative.
Age is the single most important factor influencing health status and the need and demand for health care resources. For the elderly, there is a clear relationship between age and mortality, prevalence of chronic conditions, and level of disability. Accordingly, the elderly are the heaviest users of health care resources.
Establishing senior playgrounds near children's playgrounds is a trend that is being used by an increasing number of states to keep elderly individuals healthy. Playgrounds designed as fitness parks to keep seniors active and reduce their propensity to fall through opportunities to work on balance and dexterity address many health needs of older individuals. These fitness parks offer opportunities for active exercise and serve as preventative care to the propensity for falls, which alone are estimated to represent $19,000,000,000 in annual health care costs, a number expected to increase to $55,000,000,000 by 2020.
The purpose of this Act is to join the mayor of the city and county of Honolulu's age-friendly city initiative by partnering with the city and county of Honolulu to establish a three-year intergenerational playground pilot program to address the health needs of Hawaii's growing elderly population.
SECTION 2. (a) The executive office on aging, in collaboration with the city and county of Honolulu, shall establish a three-year intergenerational playground pilot program.
(b) The intergenerational playground pilot program shall identify an existing playground within the city and county of Honolulu that can be modified to become an intergenerational playground utilized by individuals of all ages including seniors.
(c) The intergenerational playground pilot program shall design and implement playground modifications and additions that provide activities to support the fitness of older adults.
SECTION 3. The executive office on aging, in consultation with the city and county of Honolulu, shall submit a progress report of the intergenerational playground pilot program to the legislature and the mayor of the city and county of Honolulu no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2016, 2017, and 2018 regular sessions. After the final year of the intergenerational playground pilot program, a final report shall be submitted to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2019, to include:
(1) Factors used to determine the location of the intergenerational playground;
(2) Costs of the program, including design, equipment, and construction costs;
(3) Annual cost of the program, including information on the durability of intergenerational playground equipment and repair and maintenance costs of the playground;
(4) Potential liability issues associated with the intergenerational playground, if any;
(5) Recommendations regarding the continuation or expansion of the intergenerational playground pilot program, including estimated costs to plan, design, construct, and maintain any additional playgrounds, as well as the counties in which the additional playgrounds will be established;
(6) Recommendations to incorporate the intergenerational playground pilot program in the Hawaii state plan on aging; and
(7) Recommendations regarding any necessary legislation for the continuation or expansion of the intergenerational playground pilot program.
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 2015-2016 for the intergenerational playground pilot program.
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, 2050, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2019.
Report Title:
Seniors; Executive Office on Aging; Intergenerational Playground; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Executive Office on Aging and the city and county of Honolulu to establish a three-year intergenerational playground pilot program. Requires reports to the Legislature and the mayor of the city and county of Honolulu. Appropriates funds. Repeals on June 30, 2019. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
