Bill > SB1252

This bill addresses the growing challenge of dementia in Hawaii by providing $525,000 in state funding to the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine to establish two full-time equivalent (FTE) positions within the Department of Geriatric Medicine. These new positions will focus on two primary objectives: first, coordinating and integrating Alzheimer's disease and dementia training into existing university programs for healthcare providers, and second, reviewing and developing a comprehensive dementia curriculum aimed at creating a well-informed local workforce. The bill is motivated by the fact that approximately 31,000 people aged 65 and older in Hawaii are living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, and existing university programs like the School of Medicine, Center for Aging, and School of Social Work have been providing some education in this area. The new positions will help enhance and streamline these existing efforts. The University of Hawaii is required to submit annual reports to the legislature from December 2025 through December 2027 detailing the personnel hired and accomplishments achieved under this initiative, with the act taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1252&year=2025