Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to HB 172, HD1 SD2 CD1, relating to Hospice Services.
This bill declares hospice homes to be a permitted use in all residential areas throughout the state. This is zoning and land use issue that should be addressed by the counties and local communities. This bill conclusively decides that a hospice may be located in any residential area, on any island, without any community input or regulation.
I support community based planning and decision-making. This bill takes away the power of the counties to decide where commercial enterprises such as hospices may be located. The State legislature has no business pre-empting the zoning and land use powers of the counties.
Think about what your constituents will say when they learn the home down the street is going to be a hospice. They will want to know about traffic, parking, strange people in the neighborhood, and all sorts of concerns. This bill tells them there is nothing the county can do. Your voters will have to accept a commercial operation in their neighborhood. I oppose forcing commercial enterprises down the throats of home owners in residential neighborhoods.