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.C.R. No. 15 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the departments of human services, health, and labor and industrial relations to examine transitional living programs for youths in foster care.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hale Opio Kauai Inc., Hale Kipa, Inc., Hawaii Youth Services Network, and a private citizen.

Your Committee finds that youths existing in foster care have fewer family supporters and greater challenges than youths reaching the age of majority in their own families. Thus, your Committee believes that this measure will encourage these state departments to work together to further support and expand transitional living programs for Hawaii's youth in foster care.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 15 and recommends its adoption.