Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.R. No. 74 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to request the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to convene an Ad Hoc Task Force (Task Force) to develop a comprehensive strategy to utilize faith-based health and human services in Hawaii.

Victory Ohana and concerned citizens testified in support of this measure.

DOH and DHS commented that current procurement laws for health and human services contracts with the State has already been addressed.

The Hawaii Youth Services Network submitted comments.

Your Committees understand that despite a multitude of federal and state programs to battle social distress, many social problems continue to plague our society. Your Committees find that faith-based and other community organizations provide valuable social services to the distressed population in our community and that these groups should be welcomed as partners with the State in an attempt to solve the many societal ills we face today.

Moreover, your Committees recognize that although these organizations have a paramount goal of compassionate results, and that private and charitable community groups, including religious ones, should have the fullest opportunity permitted by law to compete on a level playing field, so long as they achieve valid public purposes, such as curbing crime, conquering addiction, strengthening families and neighborhoods, and overcoming poverty, faith-based and religious organizations oftentimes face barriers that prevent them from assisting needy persons and providing their services to the community through governmental contracts.

This type of community service is a worthwhile cause, and every effort should be made to allow faith-based organizations to assist the community. Although DHS and DOH have stated that there is no discrimination in awarding contracts, based on religion, other entities have been known to make complaints when faith-based organizations are awarded contracts which create barriers for these organizations to provide services to the community.

Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by requesting the Task Force to:

Other technical, nonsubstantive amendments were made for purposes of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 74, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 74, H.D. 1.