HONOLULU (KHON2) — The 2024 Kupuna Caucus Bill Package was introduced on Friday, calling five different bills that the Kupuna Caucus of the Hawaii State Legislature, Department of Health and community advocates support.
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The bills focus on improving the health, well-being, and quality of life for kupuna in Hawaii.
Over one hundred members form the Kupuna Caucus, including legislators, government and community members.
For the 2024 Kupuna Caucus Bill Package, over thirty bills were submitted and voted on by members.
“The Kupuna Caucus Package of bills endorsed by over one hundred members supports our elders in enjoying their lives in the community and sustaining their independence as long as possible,” said co-convener of the Kupuna Caucus Senator Sharon Moriwaki.
The following bills were introduced for the Kupuna Caucus 2024 Bill Package:
- Senate Bill 2470 – House Bill 1771: Hawaii Health Aging Partnership — calls for appropriate funds to Executive Office on Aging of the Department of Health
- Senate Bill 2471 – House Bill 1772: Fall Prevention — calls for appropriate funds that supports the Department of Health’s Senior Fall Prevention Campaign
- Senate Bill 2472 – House Bill 1770: Social Services — calls for an increase in monthly needs allowance from $50 to $75, requires for long-term care facilities to pay for generic toiletries, meals and snacks, department of human services required to perform an annual review for needs allowance
- Senate Bill 2473 – House Bill 1769: Taxation — calls for refundable tax credit to family caregivers who are unpaid and Department of Taxation must report to Legislature before each Regular Session
- Senate Bill 2474 – House Bill 1768: Family Leave — calls for Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to administer a family leave insurance program, provide benefits, and extend family leave time to 16 weeks