| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there has been a rapid increase in the State's senior population. As of 2020, almost one in five persons in Hawaii was sixty-five years of age or older and more than a third of all households had at least one person sixty-five years of age or older. This segment of the population is expected to continue to increase at a much faster rate than the overall population until 2030, when all members of the "baby boomer" generation will be sixty-five years or older. The legislature further finds that the State's senior residents often face unique challenges when accessing services, including mobility issues, hearing impairments, and limited technological proficiency. Additionally, seniors are often disproportionately impacted by long wait times for services, leading to frustration, anxiety, and delayed access to essential care. The purpose of this Act is to create more efficient and user-friendly services for kupuna by establishing a pilot program within the executive office on aging to improve access to essential services, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall experience for persons sixty-five years of age or older seeking access to public services. SECTION 2. (a) There is established in the executive office on aging a two-year elder access pilot program. The executive office on aging may enter into memorandums of agreement with counties and other state agencies to implement the pilot program. The purpose of the pilot program shall be to improve access to essential services, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall experience for persons sixty-five years of age or older in Hawaii who are seeking public services through state and county government offices. (b) The executive office on aging shall identify public services frequently used by persons sixty-five years of age or older, including but not limited to motor vehicle registration and renewal; vocational and business licensing renewals and inquiries; and applications for public assistance programs. (c) The executive office on aging shall work with state and county government offices that offer public services to create more user-friendly services for kupuna. (d) The auditor shall conduct an evaluation of the program's effectiveness, impact, and feasibility and shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027. The executive office on aging shall send the auditor relevant info about the pilot program by September 1, 2026, for purposes of completing the evaluation required under this subsection. (e) The pilot program shall cease to exist on July 1, 2026. SECTION 3. 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 2024-2025 for the purposes of this Act. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on aging for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that: (1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and (2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there has been a rapid increase in the State's senior population. As of 2020, almost one in five persons in Hawaii was sixty-five years of age or older and more than a third of all households had at least one person sixty-five years of age or older. This segment of the population is expected to continue to increase at a much faster rate than the overall population until 2030, when all members of the "baby boomer" generation will be sixty-five years or older. The legislature further finds that the State's senior residents often face unique challenges when accessing services, including mobility issues, hearing impairments, and limited technological proficiency. Additionally, seniors are often disproportionately impacted by long wait times for services, leading to frustration, anxiety, and delayed access to essential care. The purpose of this Act is to reduce wait times for seniors by establishing dedicated priority lanes and phones lines for persons sixty-five years of age or older seeking access to public services. SECTION 2. (a) There is established in the executive office on aging a two-year senior access pilot program to improve access to essential services, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall experience for persons sixty-five years of age or older in Hawaii who are seeking public services through state and county government offices. (b) The executive office on aging shall identify public services frequently used by persons sixty-five years of age or older, including but not limited to motor vehicle registration and renewal; vocational and business licensing renewals and inquiries; and applications for public assistance programs. (c) The pilot program shall work with state and county government offices that offer public services to create dedicated priority lanes, priority online scheduling, or dedicated priority phone lines for persons sixty-five years of age or older. (d) The auditor shall conduct an evaluation of the program's effectiveness, impact, and feasibility and shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027. (e) The pilot program shall cease to exist on July 1, 2026. SECTION 3. 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 2024-2025 for the purposes of this Act. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on aging for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that: (1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and (2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
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