Bill > SB1627

This bill clarifies the legislative intent regarding monthly financial support for individuals in long-term care facilities, specifically addressing an unintended consequence of how state supplemental payments are calculated. Currently, when the state increased the monthly needs allowance by $25 for residents in certain care facilities, the Social Security Administration was deducting this amount from the $132 state supplemental payment increase, effectively negating the intended benefit. To remedy this, the bill amends Hawaii Revised Statutes to explicitly state that the monthly needs allowance is supplemental to, and not a replacement for, state supplemental payments for domiciliary care. The bill increases the maximum state supplemental payment rates for different types of adult residential care homes, raising the rate for facility type I from $784 to $829 and for facility type II from $892 to $937, beginning October 1, 2025. Additionally, the bill ensures that individuals can receive a needs allowance of up to $75 per month, which can be spent on their behalf by the facility operator with proper accounting. The legislation also appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to implement these changes and will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1627&year=2025