Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1142 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for early intervention services as an emergency appropriation to meet mandated requirements of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, part C, and for compliance with the Felix v. Cayetano revised consent decree which was filed August 3, 2000.

Your Committee received supporting testimony from the Attorney General and the Good Beginnings Alliance.

Your Committee finds that the current fiscal year 2000-2001 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. Many more children are being found to be eligible for services and this increase in demand has had an impact on services and staffing, hence, the need for this emergency appropriation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means 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 Third Reading.