Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 629, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow foster parents the authority to provide consent for the educational and recreational needs of the foster children placed in their care.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services, Department of Education, and Hawaii Youth Services Network.

Your Committee finds that foster children are forced to adapt to new homes, caregivers, routines, and schools. Your Committee further finds that participation in educational and recreational programs in a new community often facilitates the development of peer relationships, allows children to pursue interests, and helps children feel more at home. However, foster parents currently need approval from the Department of Human Services' social worker to provide consent for children to participate in these activities. By allowing foster parents to sign consents for educational and recreational needs, foster children will be able to fully participate in a variety of programs without unnecessary delays.

Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that this measure only applies to "routine" educational and recreational needs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 629, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 629, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.