This amendment creates a new state program called the Hanai Memory Network to help people with dementia get better care, support their families, and lower costs.
Hawaii2026Enacted
HB1853
HB1853: Establishing the Hanai Memory Network Program
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 11:30 PM
In one sentence
This law creates a new program within the Executive Office on Aging to connect people with dementia and their caregivers to specialists, clinics, and support services across Hawaii.
What it does
- Establishes the Hanai Memory Network Program inside the Executive Office on Aging.
- Creates positions for trained social workers or allied health professionals called dementia care specialists who help screen patients and plan care.
- Sets up memory clinics that partner with health providers to diagnose and treat cognitive impairment.
- Builds a statewide website to list services, provide education, and connect families to local resources.
- Requires the program manager to submit an annual report to lawmakers about screenings, diagnoses, care plans created, and satisfaction data.
Who it affects
- Individuals in Hawaii living with dementia or cognitive impairment.
- Family members and caregivers who support those individuals.
- Health care providers, hospitals, and community organizations that join the network.
- The Executive Office on Aging, which manages the new program.
Limits and unknowns
- The bill text does not list specific dollar amounts for funding, only stating that money is appropriated from general revenues.
- While the law takes effect on July 1, 2026, it does not specify exact start dates for individual clinics or specialist hiring.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Dementia Care Specialist
- A trained social worker or allied health professional who provides community-based dementia screening, care planning, and coordination services.
- Memory Clinic
- A clinical partnership between the State and a health care provider that provides diagnostic and treatment services for individuals with cognitive impairment.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
RELATING TO DEMENTIA. Executive Office on Aging; Hanai Memory Network Program; Dementia Care; Appropriation ($) Establishes the Hanai Memory Network Program within the Executive Office on Aging to create a network of dementia care specialists and support systems to assist individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
Official activity
Bill history
- Act 245, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1347).H
- Act 245, 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1347).S
- Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).S
- Transmitted to Governor.H
- Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).H
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.S
- Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).H
- 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26S
- Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 155-26).S
- Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.H
- Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 155-26) as amended in (CD 1).H
- The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.S
- The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Marten, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.H
- Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 4:45PM; Conference Room 329.S
- Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 3:15PM in conference room 329.H
- Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 3:15PM in conference room 329.H
- Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 817).S
- House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Marten, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Alcos.H
- Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 725).H
- Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Kanuha Co-Chair; Fevella.S
Changes
Amendments
3 stored
This amendment creates a new state program called the Hanai Memory Network to help people with dementia get better diagnosis, care planning, and support across Hawaii.
This amendment creates a new state program called the Hanai Memory Network to help people with dementia get better care, training for specialists, and easier access to doctors across Hawaii.