HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1867

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

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 as of July 1, 2018, the United States Census Bureau estimated that 18.4 per cent of Hawaii's population was sixty-five years or older, and with projections of an increase to 19.4 per cent in 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 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:

     (1)  Reduce the amount of hours per week an individual must be employed to be a qualified caregiver under the kupuna caregivers program from thirty to twenty; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the implementation of the kupuna caregivers program.

     SECTION 2.  Section 349-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "qualified caregiver" to read as follows:

     ""Qualified caregiver" means an individual who meets the following requirements:

     (1)  Provides care for a care recipient; and

     (2)  Is employed at least [thirty] twenty hours per week by one or more employers."

     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 2020-2021 for proper implementation of the kupuna caregivers program.

     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, 2020.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Kupuna Caucus; Qualified Caregiver; Kupuna Caregivers Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Amends the total amount of hours per week an individual must be employed to be a qualified caregiver under the kupuna caregivers program from thirty to twenty.  Appropriates funds for the proper implementation of the kupuna caregivers program.

 

 

 

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