Bill Text: HI HB763 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Seniors; Executive Office on Aging; Intergenerational Playground; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-01-21 - Re-Referred to CPH/HMS, WAM. [HB763 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB763-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
763 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the elderly.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The nation-wide trend toward an aging population is evident in Hawaii. Projections estimate that by 2030 the elderly population will represent twenty per cent of the populations for each county, as well as the state as a whole: one out of every five individuals statewide will be aged sixty-five or older.
Age is the single most important factor in understanding health status and the need and demand for health care resources. For the elderly, there is a clear relationship between age and mortality, prevalence of chronic conditions, and level of disability. Accordingly, the elderly are the heaviest users of health care resources.
In Hawaii, grandparents often provide child care for their young grandchildren and frequently take their grandchildren to playgrounds. Establishing senior playgrounds near children's playgrounds is a trend that is being used by an increasing number of states to keep elderly individuals healthy. Senior playgrounds designed as fitness parks to keep seniors active and reduce their propensity to fall by providing a means to work on balance and dexterity address many health needs of older individuals. These fitness parks offer opportunities for active exercise and serve as preventative care to the propensity for falls, which, alone, are estimated to represent $19,000,000,000 in annual health care costs, a number expected to increase to $55,000,000,000 by 2020.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a three-year senior playground pilot program to address the health needs of a growing elderly population.
SECTION 2. (a) The executive office on aging, in consultation with the department of health, county departments of parks and recreation or similar county agencies, elderly service providers, and other appropriate entities, shall establish a three-year senior playground pilot program.
(b) Taking into account proximity to existing playgrounds, the senior playground pilot program shall work with county departments of parks and recreation or similar county agencies, as well as elderly service providers, to determine the best possible locations and design for senior playgrounds.
(c) The executive office on aging may contract with provider agencies to implement the senior playground pilot program. The department of health and other state agencies shall assist the executive office on aging and any provider agencies contracted for the senior playground pilot program to identify, contract, and convey land and improvements available for use for the pilot program.
(d) The senior playground pilot program shall establish at least one senior playground per county; provided that the number of senior playgrounds may be increased as determined by the executive office on aging, in consultation with the department of health, county departments of parks and recreation or similar county agencies, and elderly service providers.
(e) The counties shall make any amendments or exemptions to their respective ordinances, rules, or plans relating to planning, zoning, construction standards, development and improvement of land, and building construction that are necessary to implement the senior playground pilot program in a safe, cost-effective manner.
SECTION 3. The executive office on aging, in consultation with the department of health, shall submit a progress report of the senior playground pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2016, 2017, and 2018 regular sessions. After the final year of the senior playground pilot program, a final report shall be submitted to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2019, to include:
(1) Total number of locations of the senior playground pilot program;
(2) Initial costs of the program, including plan, design, and construction costs;
(3) Annual costs of the program including information on the durability of senior playground equipment and repair and maintenance costs of the senior playgrounds;
(4) Liability issues associated with the senior playgrounds, if any;
(5) Recommendations regarding the continuation or expansion of the senior playground pilot program including estimated costs to plan, design, construct, and maintain any additional playgrounds, as well as the counties in which the additional playgrounds will be established;
(6) Recommendations to incorporate the senior playground pilot program in the Hawaii state plan on aging; and
(7) Recommendations regarding any necessary legislation for the continuation or expansion of the senior playground pilot program.
SECTION 4. 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 2015-2016 for the senior playground pilot program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on aging for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2019.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Seniors; Executive Office on Aging; Playgrounds; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Executive Office on Aging to establish a three-year senior playground pilot program within the executive office on aging. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repealed June 30, 2019.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
