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. 628, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that higher education board allowances are available to eligible persons who were formerly foster children.

The bill also adds a third party to the list of allowable recipients of higher education allowances.

Your Committee finds that payments on behalf of the former foster 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 will facilitate the Department's work with former foster youth and better serve those who enter higher education.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Human Services has stated that it would not require any additional funding for the purposes of this bill.

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. 628, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.