RELATING TO DEMENTIA.

HB1853

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1853

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to dementia
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION
1.
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The legislature finds that dementia
and cognitive impairment are growing public health concerns in Hawaii,
particularly among the State's aging population.
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The impacts of dementia extend beyond
individuals to families, caregivers, and communities, placing emotional and
financial strain on households and the healthcare system.

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The
legislature further finds that access to early diagnosis, care planning, and
long-term support for individuals with dementia and cognitive impairment is
limited, especially in rural areas and on neighbor islands.
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Many residents face barriers to receiving
timely and coordinated care due to geographic isolation, workforce shortages,
and fragmented service delivery.

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The need
for systemic reform for dementia and cognitive impairment treatment cannot be
overstated.
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Alzheimer's disease is
estimated to affect one in nine Hawaii residents over age sixty-five.
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With the older adult population in the State
expected to double in the next twenty-five years, the number of individuals
living with Alzheimer's disease will exceed sixty-two thousand by 2050.
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This surge will have devastating financial
consequences.
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Medicaid spending for
Alzheimer's care in Hawaii rose from $240,000,000 in 2020 to $309,000,000 in
2025.
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Without intervention, those costs
are projected to approach $1,000,000,0000 annually by 2050, placing an
unsustainable strain on the state budget.

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The
legislature further recognizes that Hawaii's long-term care infrastructure is
already at or above capacity, with memory care beds in short supply.
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Families face crushing financial burdens,
paying more than $15,000 per month, or $180,000 per year, for memory care in
long-term care facilities.
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Neighbor
islands and rural communities experience even greater challenges, with limited
access to diagnosis and treatment leading to delayed care and higher costs.
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Caregivers lack guidance and support,
compounding emotional and financial stress.

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The legislature
notes that the Alzheimer's Association launched the Hanai Memory Network to
address these challenges head-on by ensuring earlier diagnosis, equitable
access to care across all counties, and coordination that reduces emergency
room visits and hospitalizations.
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By
shifting from crisis-driven care to proactive planning, Hawaii can improve
outcomes for kupuna and caregivers while reducing medicaid costs and
alleviating pressure on the State's long-term care system.

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The
legislature additionally finds that a coordinated statewide approach is
necessary to ensure equitable access to dementia care services.

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The
purpose of this Act is to establish a Hanai memory network program to integrate
community-based specialists, clinical partnerships, and public education to
improve early detection, care coordination, and long-term support for
individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

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SECTION
2.
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Chapter 349, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

"
Part .
�
Hanai memory network program

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�349-
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Definitions.

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As used in this part:

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"Dementia
care specialist" means a trained social worker or allied health
professional who provides community-based dementia screening, care planning,
and coordination services.

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"Memory
clinic" means a clinical partnership between the State and a health care
provider or health system that provides diagnostic and treatment services for
individuals with cognitive impairment, staffed by primary care providers and
geriatricians.

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�349-
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Hanai memory network program; established.
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(a)
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There is established within the executive office on aging the Hanai memory
network program.

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(b)
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The Hanai memory network program shall:

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(1)
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Establish dementia care specialists;

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(2)
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Establish one or more memory clinics;

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(3)
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Ensure coordination between dementia care
specialists, memory clinics, and programmatic services;

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(4)
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Develop and maintain a statewide referral
network and care options directory for dementia care;

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(5)
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Provide training and technical assistance to
participating providers in the program;

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(6)
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Operate a public-facing website to serve as a
central hub for education, referrals, and provider listings for dementia care;
and

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(7)
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Collect and securely maintain data relevant to
the program.

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(c)
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The executive office on aging may enter into
contracts or memoranda of agreement with health care providers, health systems,
and community-based organizations for the purpose of implementing the Hanai memory
network program, including but not limited to the operation of memory clinics,
training of dementia care specialists, and provision of community-based
services.

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(d)
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The executive office on aging shall:

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(1)
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Administer and oversee the Hanai memory
network program;

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(2)
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Collaborate with area agencies on aging,
health care providers, and community health centers;

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(3)
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Submit an annual report to the legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, which
shall include:

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(A)
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The number of individuals screened and diagnosed;

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(B)
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The number of care plans created;

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(C)
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Provider and caregiver satisfaction data; and

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(D)
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Any proposed legislation."

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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish and implement
the Hanai memory network program, to be allocated as follows:

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(1)
�
$
for salaries and fringe benefits for the following positions:

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(A)
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One full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) memory
network program manager; and

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(B)
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One full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) dementia
care specialist; and

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(2)
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$
for equipment, supplies, operational costs, and memory clinic partnerships,
including but not limited to:

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(A)
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Clinical infrastructure and support services;

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(B)
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Technology and data systems;

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(C)
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Public education and outreach materials; and

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(D)
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Contracts and memoranda of agreements with
health care providers and health systems to establish memory clinics.

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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on aging for the
purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Executive
office on Aging;
Hanai
Memory
Network Program; Dementia Care; Appropriation

Description:

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.
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Appropriates funds.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.