SB 2864: DOH; KupunAloha Program; In-Home Care Services; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to health.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that an estimated twenty_‑five thousand elderly individuals in Hawaii require in‑home health care or support services, do not qualify for existing programs, such as medicare, and yet cannot afford in‑home care services.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the KupunAloha program within the department of health to provide in-home health care and support services for individuals who do not qualify for existing government programs and cannot otherwise afford these services.

     SECTION 2.  There is established within the department of health the KupunAloha program to provide in-home health care and support services for eligible individuals who do not otherwise qualify for government assistance for these services.  In implementing the program, the department shall create a plan of care for each eligible applicant.  The department may refer eligible applicants to health care providers.  The program may enter into contracts with health care providers to effectuate the purposes of this Act.  The contracts executed pursuant to this Act shall be subject to chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     Individuals are not eligible for the program if:

     (1)  The individual is covered by medicare;

     (2)  The individual does not meet the income requirements for the program established by the department; or

     (3)  The individual does not meet the need requirements for the program established by the department.

     SECTION 3.  The department of health shall submit a report on the effectiveness of the KupunAloha program established pursuant to this Act to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2027 regular session.  The report shall also include recommendations to improve the efficiency of the KupunAloha program and whether the program should be made permanent.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the KupunAloha program.

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

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

Report Title:

DOH; KupunAloha Program; In-Home Care Services; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes within the Department of Health the KupunAloha program to provide in-home health care and support services to eligible participants who do not otherwise qualify for government assistance for these services.  Appropriates moneys for the program.

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