SB 2589: EOA; Hanai Memory Network Program; Dementia Care; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that dementia and cognitive impairment are growing public health concerns in Hawaii, particularly among the State's aging population.  The impacts of dementia extend beyond individuals to families, caregivers, and communities, placing emotional and financial strain on households and the healthcare system.

     The legislature further finds that access to early diagnosis, care planning, and long-term support for individuals with dementia and cognitive impairment is limited, especially in rural areas and on neighbor islands.  Many residents face barriers to receiving timely and coordinated care due to geographic isolation, workforce shortages, and fragmented service delivery.

     The need for systemic reform for dementia and cognitive impairment treatment cannot be overstated.  Alzheimer's disease is estimated to affect one in nine Hawaii residents over age sixty-five.  With the older adult population in the State expected to double in the next twenty-five years, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease will exceed sixty‑two thousand by 2050.  This surge will have devastating financial consequences.  Medicaid spending for Alzheimer's care in Hawaii rose from $240,000,000 in 2020 to $309,000,000 in 2025.  Without intervention, those costs are projected to approach $1,000,000,0000 annually by 2050, placing an unsustainable strain on the state budget.

     The legislature further recognizes that Hawaii's long-term care infrastructure is already at or above capacity, with memory care beds in short supply.  Families face crushing financial burdens, paying more than $15,000 per month, or $180,000 per year, for memory care in long-term care facilities.  Neighbor islands and rural communities experience even greater challenges, with limited access to diagnosis and treatment leading to delayed care and higher costs.  Caregivers lack guidance and support, compounding emotional and financial stress.

     The legislature notes that the Alzheimer's Association launched the Hanai Memory Network to address these challenges head-on by ensuring earlier diagnosis, equitable access to care across all counties, and coordination that reduces emergency room visits and hospitalizations.  By shifting from crisis-driven care to proactive planning, Hawaii can improve outcomes for kupuna and caregivers while reducing medicaid costs and alleviating pressure on the State's long-term care system.

     The legislature additionally finds that a coordinated statewide approach is necessary to ensure equitable access to dementia care services.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a Hanai memory network program to integrate community-based specialists, clinical partnerships, and public education to improve early detection, care coordination, and long-term support for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 349, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part     .  Hanai memory network program

     §349-    Definitions.  As used in this part:

     "Dementia care specialist" means a trained social worker or allied health professional who provides community-based dementia screening, care planning, and coordination services.

     "Memory clinic" means a clinical partnership between the State and a health care provider or health system that provides diagnostic and treatment services for individuals with cognitive impairment, staffed by primary care providers and geriatricians.

     §349-    Hanai memory network program; established.  (a)  There is established within the executive office on aging the Hanai memory network program.

     (b)  The Hanai memory network program shall:

     (1)  Establish dementia care specialists;

     (2)  Establish one or more memory clinics;

     (3)  Ensure coordination between dementia care specialists, memory clinics, and programmatic services;

     (4)  Develop and maintain a statewide referral network and care options directory for dementia care;

     (5)  Provide training and technical assistance to participating providers in the program;

     (6)  Operate a public-facing website to serve as a central hub for education, referrals, and provider listings for dementia care; and

     (7)  Collect and securely maintain data relevant to the program.

     (c)  The executive office on aging may enter into contracts or memoranda of agreement with health care providers, health systems, and community-based organizations for the purpose of implementing the Hanai memory network program, including but not limited to the operation of memory clinics, training of dementia care specialists, and provision of community-based services.

     (d)  The executive office on aging shall:

     (1)  Administer and oversee the Hanai memory network program;

     (2)  Collaborate with area agencies on aging, health care providers, and community health centers;

     (3)  Submit an annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, which shall include:

          (A)  The number of individuals screened and diagnosed;

          (B)  The number of care plans created;

          (C)  Provider and caregiver satisfaction data; and

          (D)  Any proposed legislation."

     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 implement the Hanai memory network program, to be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $           for salaries and fringe benefits for the following positions:

          (A)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) memory network program manager; and

          (B)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) dementia care specialist; and

     (2)  $           for equipment, supplies, operational costs, and memory clinic partnerships, including but not limited to:

          (A)  Clinical infrastructure and support services;

          (B)  Technology and data systems;

          (C)  Public education and outreach materials; and

          (D)  Contracts and memoranda of agreements with health care providers and health systems to establish memory clinics.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on aging for the purposes of this Act.

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

Report Title:

EOA; Hanai Memory Network Program; Dementia Care; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the Hanai Memory Network Program within the Executive Office on Aging to create a network of dementia care specialists and support systems to assist individuals with dementia and their caregivers.  Appropriates funds.  (SD1)

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 Alzheimer's disease.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's rapidly aging population is leading to rising numbers of dementia and Alzheimer's disease cases.  The legislature further finds that there are limited medical treatment services on the neighbor islands and in rural areas to address this increase in cases.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the Hawaii assistance for the navigation of Alzheimer's intervention (HANAI) program within the executive office on aging to support individuals with Alzheimer's disease statewide.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 349, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§349-     Hawaii assistance for navigation of Alzheimer's intervention (HANAI) program; established.  (a)  There is established within the executive office on aging the Hawaii assistance for the navigation of Alzheimer's intervention (HANAI) program to support individuals in the State who have Alzheimer's disease.  The program shall include the development and implementation of a community outreach plan.

     (b)  As part of the program, the executive office on aging may contract with health care providers to expand access to Alzheimer's disease treatment and diagnosis services pursuant to chapter 103F.

     (c)  The executive office on aging shall submit an annual report summarizing the program's activities and use of funds to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of the Hawaii assistance for the navigation of Alzheimer's intervention (HANAI) program, including:

     (1)  The establishment of four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) state dementia care specialist positions, one in each county of the State; and

     (2)  Administrative and other related expenses.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

DOH; EOA; Alzheimer's Disease; Dementia; Treatment; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes within the Executive Office on Aging the Hawaii Assistance for the Navigation of Alzheimer's Intervention (HANAI) program to support individuals in the State who have Alzheimer's disease.  Appropriates moneys for the establishment of 4 full-time equivalent state dementia care specialist positions, one in each county and other expenses.

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. 2361

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2589

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2589 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish within the Executive Office on Aging the Hawaii Assistance for the Navigation of Alzheimer's Intervention (HANAI) program to support individuals in the State who have Alzheimer's disease; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the establishment of four full‑time equivalent state dementia care specialist positions, one in each county and other expenses.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Parkinson Association, AARP Hawaiʻi, Alzheimer's Association, Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, Alzheimer's Caregiving & The Caregivers, and twenty-one individuals.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Executive Office on Aging of the Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that the State's rapidly aging population is leading to rising numbers of dementia and Alzheimer's disease cases.  Your Committee further finds that there are limited medical treatment services on the neighbor islands and in rural areas to address this increase in cases.  This measure provides needed support and tools to assist patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting its contents and inserting the language from S.B. No. 2269, Regular Session of 2026, a substantively similar measure that establishes the Hanai Memory Network Program within the Executive Office on Aging to create a network of dementia care specialists and support systems to assist individuals with dementia and their caregivers; and

     (2)  Inserting a blank amount for the number of full-time equivalent positions established.

     Your Committee notes that this measure, as amended, contains an unspecified appropriation amount.  Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $3,000,000 to establish and implement the Hanai Memory Network Program.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2589, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2589, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,