Bill > SB1627

This bill clarifies and adjusts the monthly needs allowance for individuals living in certain long-term care facilities, such as adult residential care homes, developmental disabilities domiciliary homes, and certified adult foster homes. The legislation aims to prevent the unintended reduction of state supplemental payments when a needs allowance is increased. Specifically, the bill increases the maximum state supplemental payment for facility type I and type II adult residential care homes from $784 to $829 and from $892 to $937, respectively, beginning October 1, 2025. It also ensures that the monthly needs allowance is supplemental to, and not a replacement for, existing state supplemental payments for domiciliary care. The bill mandates that the needs allowance will be increased to $75 per month and can be spent on behalf of the client by the facility operator, with a written accounting. To implement these changes, the bill appropriates funds from the state's general revenues for the Department of Human Services' community-based residential support program for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, with the act taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1627&year=2026