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. 630, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the completion of medical information forms and the consent to release medical information at the dispositional hearing regarding parental rights. This measure also exempts the Department of Human Services from providing medical information on the natural parents of the adopted minor child when it will expedite the adoption process and is in the best interest of the child.

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

Your Committee finds that these amendments mandate parents to provide the necessary medical information and also allow the department to proceed with the adoption process without delay if the parents fail to provide this information. Thus, your Committee finds that this measure will make the process of adoption more efficient while ensuring that the best interests of the child are met.

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. 630, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.