Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official page posted by the Hawaii State Legislature, fetched 2026-08-29. Where this bill amends existing law, language marked for deletion in the official page appears here in brackets. This is the first conference draft. The official bill page.
THE SENATE S.B. NO. 2259 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D. 1 C.D. 1 A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are not only detrimental to residents of the State but also affect businesses, economic growth, and visitors to Hawaii. Creating a dementia-friendly business environment would greatly enhance the quality of life for those living with dementia and their caregivers, while demonstrating that these diseases are not just a health issue, but also an economic and community development priority. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a business recognition program within the department of business, economic development, and tourism to promote brain health awareness in the business community and provide knowledge on the harmful effects of not only Alzheimer's disease, but all forms of dementia, to better serve and support customers while creating a dementia-capable workforce. SECTION 2. Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§201- Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program. (a) There is established within the department of business, economic development, and tourism the Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program to promote awareness of Alzheimer's disease and dementia among the business community and a dementia-capable workforce. (b) The program shall be accessible through the department's website, where businesses may apply to become recognized as dementia-friendly. (c) Businesses that apply shall receive a list of approved organizations that provide dementia training for employees. All current employees shall complete a one-hour training session to qualify the business as dementia-friendly. (d) Upon completing the training under subsection (c), a business shall receive: (1) Access to a badge for the website of the business, indicating that the business is certified by the Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program as dementia-friendly; and (2) A decal or sticker of the Hawaii dementia initiative certified business logo to place at the physical location of the business. (e) The department shall publish a list of recognized businesses on its website for access by individuals living with dementia and their families. (f) The department may also promote the program and the list of Hawaii dementia initiative-certified businesses through various media to further incentivize business participation." SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $90,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish and administer the Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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