HI HR176

Requests the Executive Office on Aging to convene a task force to determine causes of elder abuse in Hawaii, identify best practices in prevention, and investigate developing a statewide Senior Legal Helpline.

Task force to be chaired by the Executive Director of the Executive Office on Aging and include the Department of Human Services Director, county police chiefs, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii Executive Director, and one member each from the Senate and House.

Identifies approximately 4,000 or more potential cases of elder abuse annually in Hawaii based on national estimates, but only 514 cases were investigated by the Department of Human Services in 2006.

Notes Hawaii's elderly population (ages 75+) is expected to increase significantly by 2030, with those 85 and older projected to increase by 174 percent.

Requires task force to submit recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2011 Regular Session convenes.