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 S.B. No. 1142 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize an emergency appropriation to supplement the existing budget to provide early intervention services mandated by P.L. 105-17, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, part C, and required for compliance with the Felix v. Cayetano revised consent decree filed August 3, 2000.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Hawaii Early Intervention Coordinating Council, State Attorney General, Department of Health, Good Beginnings Alliance, and HFSC Healthy Start.

Your Committee finds that the current FY 2001 budget appropriation for both affected Early Intervention Services and Healthy Start programs is not sufficient to meet the existing needs of the eligible population and the U.S. District Court's orders. Given an increase in the number of eligible children and the corresponding amount of program services and staff needed to meet their needs, an emergency appropriation is required. The increased demand for services is directly attributable to the Court's order to improve the early identification of children under three years of age in need of Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act services and to enhance the timeliness and quality of services provided to these children.

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 S.B. No. 1142 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.