Social Policy/Legislation

NASW works on behalf of key social policies, for social change and social and economic justice by:

• Lobbying for sound, humane social policies.
• Educating the public about the connections between adequate services and the well-being of individuals, families and communities.
• Advocating for social work values.
• Supporting public officials who speak out on behalf of our goals and values.

   

Hawaii State Legislature

Honolulu City Council

National Issues     

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Sharon Otagaki, LSWThis has been quite a whirlwind 2007 Legislative session! As you recall, last month’s issue of the newsletter included the legislative agenda which was sent out to all legislators. This is done prior to each legislative session so they are aware of those issues that NASW supports. Since then we added additional bills on our agenda including two bills under care giving, civil unions, death with dignity, and mental health. At this point in time most of the bills on our agenda are moving through the process.

The one bill of concern is the Elder Abuse law, HB 811/ SB 1184. This law if passed, would replace the current Statute that protects vulnerable adults from abuse. The House bill did not make it through because it was referred to Human Services, and the Judiciary Committees, and at the last minute to the Finance Committee due to the appropriation implications and there was not enough time for the bill to be heard by all three. We are hopeful that the Senate bill will make its way through and pass over to the House. The Senate version has been amended to eliminate the term elderly, and has added appropriations for resources and personnel to be awarded to DHS.

Our focus has been to introduce ourselves to the freshmen legislators, reconnect with legislators who know NASW and support our issues, and visit with the new chairs and vice chairs of the various committees, particularly in the House. This is proving to be a very different year, legislators themselves are challenged to adapt and become knowledgeable in new areas and subject matter, while managing a large number of bills, visiting with lobbyists, going through hearings, and voting. Representative Ryan Yamane is Chair of the Tourism and Culture Committee. Although our targeted bills are not heard through his Committee, Representative Yamane provides us with feedback and suggestions and we appreciate his support.

The Legislative Committee along with the PACE Committee, and Board members have all contributed their time to our legislative effort. Debbie Shimizu continues her valued work on committees and coalitions which advance bills to support safety net issues. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our legislative agenda or would like to join our Committee, please contact me or Debbie Shimizu at the Chapter office, 521-1787.

The National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter
2007 Legislative Agenda

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Hawaii, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 1000 members statewide. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through its advocacy. This year NASW will be focusing on the following issues:

THE ELDERLY

• Increasing the personal allowance for eligible care home and nursing facility residents
  (SB 1182/ HB 813) (SB 735/ HB 1475)
  Residents in care homes and nursing facilities are entitled to receive a personal allowance for incidentals such as toiletries, bus fare, clothing, snacks, haircuts, etc. Since 1988, the allowance has been $30 per month. With the current cost of living this amount is woefully inadequate.
  NASW supports increasing the allowance to $50 per month with annual adjustments.
  
• Establishing an Elder Abuse law
  (SB 1184/ HB 811)
  Currently, there is no state statute for elder abuse. HRS 346 Part X. Dependent Adult Protective Services focuses on adults who are dependent AND have been abuse AND is threatened with imminent abuse. Social workers have found it difficult to get assistance for an elderly client when all three conditions must be met.
  NASW supports changes to HRS 346 Part X to: 1) add a definition of “vulnerable adult”; 2) add a definition of “elderly”; and 3) enable DHS to investigate when reason exists to believe that an elder or vulnerable adult has been abused OR is threatened with imminent abuse. NASW also supports adding social workers to the list of mandated reporters when abuse of an elder is suspected.
  
• Support for Long Term Care Ombudsman
  (SB 1190, HB 818)
  There are approximately 8606 residents in long term care facilities statewide but only one (1) full time ombudsman and one (1) volunteer coordinator.
  NASW supports establishing an office of the long term care ombudsman within the executive office on aging and appropriating funds to hire additional staff and operating expenses to ensure adequate services on the neighbor islands.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY

• Maintaining and utilizing the Self -Sufficiency Standard
  (SB 1919/ HB 102)
  In 2003, the Hawaii State Commission for the Status of Women conducted a study to establish the self-sufficiency standard for Hawaii. This standard showed the actual amount families needed to afford basic things such as food, housing, childcare, transportation, etc. This is a more accurate tool for evaluating programs, designing policies and setting benchmarks for economic success rather than the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
  NASW supports updating the self-sufficiency standard for Hawaii and utilizing it as a benchmark rather than the FPL.
• Increasing welfare payments
  (DHS budget)
  The 2006 Legislature passed Act 287 relating to Public Assistance to increase the standard of need from the 1993 federal poverty level to the 2006 poverty level effective July 2007.
  NASW supports increasing the welfare payments in the DHS budget.
• Establishing a State Earned Income Tax Credit
  (SB 714, SB 1919, SB 1097/ HB 123)
  The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit to low-income wage earners and is an incentive for people to remain in the workforce. The federal EITC is for low-income families who lack sufficient tax liabilities to benefit from other tax credits and has proven to be a successful anti-poverty program.
  NASW supports a state EITC to provide tax relief for those do not make enough to be self-sufficient and creates an incentive to stay employed.
• Requiring DHS to offer financial literacy
  (SB 1919/ HB 99)
  As part of an effort to help families on welfare attain self-sufficiency and exit poverty DHS should teach financial literacy and create asset building opportunities in all of their activities. Providing families with financial education is a positive step in helping them build and keep their assets.
  NASW supports an appropriation to DHS to offer financial education to applicants for and recipients of TANF.

HEALTH CARE

• Providing primary medical care to minors
  (SB 1171/ HB 528)
  Under the current law, minors without parental support are unable to consent to the provision of primary medical care and services deemed to be in their best interests by a licensed health care practitioner. Growing populations of homeless youth are unable to receive the primary health care they need. The proposed legislation addresses this issue, allowing minors to consent for primary health care services in specified circumstances.
  NASW supports primary medical care and services that further the minors’ best interest when parental support is unavailable, as defined by the statute.
• Establishing Universal Health Insurance
  (SB 1061, SB 1795/ HB 1598)
  NASW believes that all individuals have a right to an affordable, accessible, and high quality health care continuum.
  NASW supports a health care policy that ensures the right to universal access to a continuum of health and mental health under a single payer system, funding for rural health care, and health coverage for the uninsured.

LICENSING

• Giving authority to increase or decrease licensing fees
  (SB 1420/ HB 1334)
  The social work licensing statute (HRS 467E) does not have the authority to increase or decrease licensing fees as provided by HRS 92-28. The Dept of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) who regulates the social work license would like to decrease licensing renewal fees to those individuals who renew online.
  NASW supports DCCA’s proposal to amend HRS 92-28 to add HRS 467E to the list of statutes that have the authority to increase or decrease licensing fees.