Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 628 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to:

Your Committee recognizes that the inclusion of the definition "former foster youth" clarifies that higher education board allowances are available to individuals who were formerly foster children, but are no longer children, nor a part of the foster care system.

Further, payments on behalf of the youth to another intermediary contracted by the Department of Human Services will facilitate the provision of this service when payment to the foster parent or institution of higher learning is not appropriate. This measure will better serve former foster children who pursue higher education.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 628 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Higher Education.