Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.R. No. 50 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request a review of state youth services and study on consolidating youth services.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Office of Youth Services. Testimony expressing concerns about consolidating services was submitted by the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that state services for children and youth are fragmented amongst various state agencies, thereby allowing jurisdictional issues to complicate providing necessary services to children. Your Committee further finds that it would be prudent for the Senate to review existing programs and services offered to children and make recommendations regarding the feasibility of consolidating such programs in order to expedite services to 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 50 and recommends its adoption.