Hawaii Senate Bill SB3264

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/22
• Refer: 1/28/22

Caption

Relating To Health.

Impact

This bill seeks to align caregiver regulations with the practical needs of both caregivers and the families they support. By allowing primary caregivers to have more time outside the home, the bill acknowledges the necessity for caregivers to manage personal responsibilities or take time off while still ensuring that client care remains uncompromised. Additionally, the requirement that the substitute caregiver possess prior experience in a caregiving environment aims to uphold a certain level of service quality and reliability within the community care foster family settings.

Summary

SB3264 is a legislative proposal aimed at updating regulations concerning community care foster family homes in Hawaii. Specifically, it amends Section 321-483 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to modify the operational standards for care providers. One key change proposed is to extend the allowable absence for primary caregivers from twenty-eight hours to thirty-six hours per week, as well as increasing the allowed daily absence from five hours to eight hours. This adjustment is intended to provide caregivers with greater flexibility while ensuring that substitute caregivers are present to maintain care standards for the residents.

Contention

There is potential for contention surrounding this bill, particularly regarding the modifications to caregiver absence regulations. Advocacy groups and stakeholders in the healthcare community may debate whether the extended hours of absence are sufficient to meet the needs of caregivers without negatively impacting the quality of care provided to residents. Concerns could be raised about how these changes may affect the caregiver's ability to adequately supervise and support the individuals in their care during those extended absences. Opponents may argue that increasing absence times should come with stronger accountability measures or improved support structures to ensure that residents are not left unsupported while caregivers are away.