STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1082-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: S.B. No. 2040
                                     S.D. 1
                                     H.D. 1




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

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No.
2040, S.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to appropriate state funds as
matching federal funds to serve individuals with developmental
disabilities, including individuals on the statewide wait list in
fiscal year 2000 in the Title XIX Medicaid Home- and Community-
based Services Waiver Program.

     The State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities,
The ARC in Hawaii, and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center
testified in support of this bill.  The Department of the
Attorney General testified in support of this bill and offered
comments and suggestions.  The Department of Human Services (DHS)
supported the intent of the bill and suggested amendments.  The
Department of Health (DOH) supported the intent of this bill as
long as it did not replace priorities in the executive
supplemental budget.  The Disability and Communication Access
Board supported the intent of this bill.

     Your Committee finds that the appropriation made by this
bill represents an efficient use of state dollars by matching
federal Title XIX Medicaid funds, and further finds that the bill
will greatly assist individuals with developmental disabilities
who require lifelong assistance to become independent and
integrated members of our community.

 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1082-00
                                 Page 2

 
     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the sum appropriated be transferred to
          DHS through an interdepartmental transfer from DOH to
          serve as the state match for federal Title XIX Medicaid
          funds; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for
          clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No.
2040, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass
Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2040, S.D.
1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Health,



                                   ______________________________
                                   ALEXANDER C. SANTIAGO, Chair