Legislation on social issues which you may want to testify on.

The following are bills which (as of 3/21/16) are still alive and moving through the legislative process.  For more information about these bills, check the Legislative Website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

Legislation helping our Kupuna

HB2252 complements the Federal discharge planning requirements by allowing admitted inpatients to designate a caregiver, provide written and oral instructions to designated caregivers prior to discharge, and requiring hospitals to notify designated caregivers prior to a patient's discharge or transfer. This bill crossed over to the Senate, was heard in Consumer Protection where it was amended with the language from a similar bill, SB2397, which AARP prefers. Your support and positive testimony is needed as this bill goes through the Senate.  More information about this bill can be found at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2252

HB1878 is part of 1999's Kupuna Care Program that addresses the needs of Hawaii's aging population. This bill sets aside $5 million for the program; $1,710,000 for the aging and disability resource center; and $32,000 for fall prevention and early detection services. It also establishes $485,880 for the healthy aging partnership program. In addition, it appropriates $70,000 for an Alzheimer's disease and related dementia services coordinator position, and $200,000 for its public-awareness program.

HCR10 urges government entities who manage and own land around each of the planned rail transit stations to consider and include in development discussions, to the greatest extent possible, affordable housing, child and family services, elderly services and other beneficial opportunities for the people of Hawai‘i.

Legislation benefiting our Keiki

SB2231 establishes the REACH (resources for enrichment, athletics, culture and health) program in the office of youth services to provide a standardized framework and funding for after-school programs in public, middle and intermediate schools.

SB2476 enhances early language services for children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind.  Establishes a working group for the purposes of investigating issues related to resources and tools for parents of children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and improvements to the statewide system of services that support age-appropriate language development for children from birth to age five who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. 

Legislation for Hawaii's Women & Children

HB1897 provides for insurance coverage for sexually transmitted disease screenings, including screenings for HIV and AIDS.  This bill assists the community in stopping the spread of these terrible diseases through early diagnosis.

HCR68 encourages the Department of Public Safety to continue to expand its community-based work furlough programs to assist formerly incarcerated female inmates transition back into society.  It has been reported that most women prisoners are guilty of nonviolent crimes and usually have substance abuse issues to overcome.  This transitional program will assist them in reintegrating into society as well as insuring that they can provide for themselves financially.

HCR69 requests that a paid family leave task force examine the benefits and costs of a potential paid family leave program in Hawaii.  The "sandwich generation" is now experiencing many stresses created by needing to care for elderly parents while minor children still live at home. This resolution will help determine how those families can get the time they need to care for their families.

SB2318 establishes the address confidentiality program to help survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to relocate and keep their addresses confidential.  We must protect the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.  These individuals have suffered enough. They should be able to lead a life of quiet enjoyment without having to worry about criminals targeting their home because they know where they live.

SB2321 requires any state or county agency who employs personnel whose job duties require or may require intervention in a domestic violence situation to provide those employees with a minimum of eight hours of domestic violence intervention training.

Above information is provided by Rep Cynthia Thielen, Mahalo