Bill > SB850

This bill requires the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to conduct a comprehensive study on health disparities experienced by individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) in Hawaii. The council will collect detailed data on population-level differences in health indicators, including access to healthcare, preventive services, health behaviors, health outcomes, and social determinants of health such as income, employment, and education. By February 2027, the council must submit a report to the legislature that includes a definition of the state's IDD population, an analysis of health disparities, factors contributing to these differences, and proposed legislation to reduce these disparities. The bill recognizes that people with IDD face significant health challenges, including higher rates of chronic diseases and poorer health outcomes, and are often underrepresented in health data. To support this research, the state will appropriate $550,000 over two fiscal years (2025-2026 and 2026-2027) to fund the data collection and report preparation, with the goal of developing more targeted and culturally appropriate public health policies to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=850&year=2025