HI HB2498

Establishes the Central Oahu Care Home Community Resilience Pilot Program through the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to help licensed care homes in the 96797 zip code improve disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience.

Eligible improvements include roof reinforcement, hurricane clips, impact-resistant windows, storm shutters, backup power systems, battery storage for medical equipment, air filtration, fire-resistant landscaping, and shelter-in-place modifications.

Program may provide grants, rebates, contracted services, vulnerability assessments, technical assistance, and emergency power solutions for participating facilities serving kupuna (residents 60+), individuals with disabilities, and medically fragile residents.

Priority given to care homes serving low-income residents, those housing residents dependent on life-sustaining equipment, facilities in high-risk hazard zones, structures over 25 years old, and operators demonstrating financial need.

Requires participating care homes to adopt evacuation plans and mandates a report to the legislature before the 2027 session; program sunsets on June 30, 2031.