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. 637 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage service plans prepared under the Child Protective Act to include Ohana conferencing as a part of the plan.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services, Blueprint for Change, and a private citizen.

Your Committee finds that this measure is a means to facilitate and strengthen the network of protection of the extended family and the community for the child. The purpose of the Ohana conference is to establish a plan that provides for the safety and permanency needs of the child. This is accomplished by including every family member and important person in the child's life in making long-term decisions for the child.

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. 637 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.