HB 1589: DBEDT; Executive Office on Aging; Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are not only detrimental to residents of the State but also affect businesses, economic growth, and visitors to Hawaii.

     Creating a dementia-friendly business environment would greatly enhance the quality of life for those living with dementia and their caregivers, while also demonstrating that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is not just a health issue, but also an economic and community development priority.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a Hawaii dementia business recognition program within the department of business, economic development, and tourism to promote brain health awareness in the business community and provide knowledge on the harmful effects of not only Alzheimer's disease, but all forms of dementia, to better serve and support customers while creating a dementia-capable workforce.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§201-     Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program.  (a)  There is established within the department the Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program to promote awareness of Alzheimer's disease and dementia within the business community and a dementia-capable workforce.  The department shall collaborate with the executive office on aging to implement this program.

     (b)  The program shall be accessible through the department's website, where businesses may apply to become recognized as dementia-friendly or dementia business champions.

     (c)  The executive office on aging may support the department by providing a speakers bureau listing of approved organizations that provide dementia training for employees to businesses that apply for recognition under subsection (b).  Eighty-five per cent of current employees shall complete a one-hour training session in order for a business to become recognized as dementia-friendly or a dementia business champion.

     (d)  Upon completing the training under subsection (c), a business shall receive:

     (1)  Access to a badge for the website of the business, indicating that the business is certified by the program as dementia-friendly or a dementia business champion; and

     (2)  A decal or sticker of the Hawaii dementia initiative certified business logo to place at the physical location of the business.

     (e)  The executive office on aging shall gather feedback on the program from non-profit organizations and other organizations that specialize in dementia.

     (f)  The department, in collaboration with the executive office on aging, shall draft written guidance and protocols that staff and supervisors can reference in situations involving a customer or co-worker with dementia.  The written guidance and protocols shall be made available to all businesses recognized as dementia-friendly or dementia business champions.

     (g)  The department shall publish a list of recognized businesses on its website for access by individuals living with dementia and their families.

     (h)  The department may also promote the program and the list of Hawaii dementia initiative-certified businesses through various media to further incentivize business participation."

     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 2026-2027 to establish and administer the Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DBEDT; Executive Office on Aging; Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.  Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to collaborate with the Executive Office on Aging to implement the program.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are not only detrimental to residents of the State but also affect businesses, economic growth, and visitors to Hawaii.

     Creating a dementia-friendly business environment would greatly enhance the quality of life for those living with dementia and for their caregivers, while also demonstrating that this is not just a health issue, but also an economic and community development priority.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a business recognition program within the department of business, economic development, and tourism to promote brain health awareness in the business community and provide knowledge on the harmful effects of not only Alzheimer's disease, but all forms of dementia, to better serve and support customers while creating a dementia-capable workforce.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§201-     Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program.  (a)  There is established within the department the Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program to promote among the business community awareness of Alzheimer's disease and dementia and to promote a dementia-capable workforce.

     (b)  The program shall be accessible through the department's website, where businesses may apply to become recognized as dementia-friendly.

     (c)  Businesses that apply shall receive a list of approved organizations that provide dementia training for employees.  All current employees shall complete a one-hour training session to qualify the business as dementia-friendly.

     (d)  Upon completing the training under subsection (c), a business shall receive:

     (1)  Access to a badge for the website of the business, indicating that the business is certified by the Hawaii dementia initiative as dementia-friendly; and

     (2)  A decal or sticker of the Hawaii dementia initiative certified business logo to place at the physical location of the business.

     (e)  The department shall publish a list of recognized businesses on its website for access by individuals living with dementia and their families.

     (f)  The department may also promote the program and the list of Hawaii dementia initiative-certified businesses through various media to further incentivize business participation."

     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 2026-2027 to establish and administer the Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

DBEDT; Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.  Appropriates moneys.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  507-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1589

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1589 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish, and appropriate funds for, the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Alzheimer's Association, Hawaiʻi Chapter and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Executive Office on Aging.

     Your Committee finds that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia impact businesses and economic growth in the State.  Your Committee further finds that creating a dementia-friendly business environment would enhance the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.  This measure promotes awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia within Hawaii's business community and allows businesses to complete training and receive certification under a Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism shall collaborate with the Executive Office on Aging to implement the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program;

     (2)  Clarifying that businesses may become recognized as dementia-friendly or dementia business champions;

     (3)  Clarifying that the Executive Office on Aging may submit a speakers bureau listing of approved organizations that provide dementia training;

     (4)  Requiring eighty-five percent of employees to complete training in order for a business to be eligible for recognition;

     (5)  Requiring the Executive Office on Aging to gather feedback on the program;

     (6)  Requiring the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Executive Office on Aging, to draft certain written guidance and protocols;

     (7)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (8)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism has estimated that the cost to develop this program would be $90,000, which your Committee notes would be offset from training support from the Executive Office on Aging.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1589, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1589, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,