STAND. COM. REP. NO. 818-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: H.B. No. 2278
                                     H.D. 2




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which
was referred H.B. No. 2278, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOCIAL WORKERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to remove the sunsetting of
the regulation of social workers and adopt changes relating to
reciprocity, endorsements, and examinations.  

     Testimony was received in support of this measure from the
Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Kaiser
Permanente, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Sex Abuse Treatment
Center, Kahi Mohala, Entrepreneurial Solutions LLC, Clinical
Social Work Society of Hawaii, Maui Memorial Medical Center,
Aloha House Child and Adolescent Mental Health Outpatient
Services, National Association of Social Workers, Department of
the Army, University of Hawaii School of Social Work, Aloha House
Maui, Office of Veterans' Services Department of Defense, Maui
Adult Day Care Centers, Hospice Maui, Kapiolani Counseling
Center, numerous social workers, and numerous concerned citizens.

     The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs supports
section 1 and 3 of this bill but, defers to the Legislature for
section 2.

     This measure authorizes licensure by endorsement or
reciprocity.  The language ensures Hawaii's licensing standards
are minimally maintained.  It also maintains the use of the

 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 818-00
                                 Page 2

 
national examination administered by the Association of Social
Work Boards as a requirement for licensure and creates a "drop
dead" provision.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will ensure quality
social work services for consumers and will hold social workers
accountable for their practice.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by leaving the
effective date blank to ensure further discussions.  Technical,
nonsubstantive amendments were made for clarity, consistency, and
style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to
this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of H.B. No. 2278, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and
recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto
as H.B. No. 2278, H.D. 2.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Consumer
                                   Protection and Commerce,



                                   ______________________________
                                   RON MENOR, Chair