HI SR23

Requests the University of Hawaii Center on Aging to convene a Hawaii State Fall Prevention Task Force to develop a statewide approach to reducing falls among older adults and examine fiscal impacts on the medical system.

Task Force consists of 16 members: 5 appointed by the Governor, 5 by the Senate President, 5 by the House Speaker, plus 6 designated members including representatives from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Fall Prevention Consortium, Department of Health, Executive Office on Aging, and City and County of Honolulu.

Designates the Director of the Executive Office on Aging as chair and requires members to have backgrounds in elderly services, geriatric medicine, health care, long-term care, or related fields.

Task Force must convene by August 15, 2010, and submit an interim report to the Legislature by twenty days before the 2011 Regular Session and a final report with proposed legislation by twenty days before the 2012 Regular Session.

Directs the Task Force to investigate public awareness enhancement, review fall prevention program availability, and examine the role of medical and health care professionals in screening and educating elderly persons.