HB 1853

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1853
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
S.D. 1
C.D. 1
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO DEMENTIA.
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 health care 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 $1,000,000,000 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 is launching 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, nurse, 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.
���� �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 may:
���� (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.
���� (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; and
���� (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 $3,000,000 or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish and implement
the Hanai memory network program.
���� 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:
Executive
Office on Aging; 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.� (CD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.