Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 100, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Hawaii Autism Center of Excellence within the University of Hawaii School of Medicine and make an appropriation to fund the Center.

Your Committee finds that there is a need for local expertise and resources in the area of autism and autism spectrum disorders. Your Committee further finds that with over 470 Hawaii youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division spent nearly $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2000. Although the total numbers are small, these individuals require specialty services, focused educational programming, and professional assistance with targeted training and expertise. The Autism Center of Excellence is needed in part to recommend best practices for Hawaii's autism population.

Your Committee has made a technical nonsubstantive amendment for the purpose of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 100, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 100, S.D. 2.