Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1351 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop standards, that include criminal history record checks, to ensure the responsible and reputable character of service providers who may have direct contact with individuals receiving adult services from the DHS.

Your Committee recognizes the need to provide safe environments for the vulnerable population--adults who are receiving services from licensed adult day care centers, foster grandparent programs, senior companion programs, or respite companion programs. To provide safe environments, it is necessary to ensure that service providers are caring and pose no danger to adult service recipients. This bill will enable the DHS to confirm that their adult service providers will provide safe, appropriate care to service recipients.

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. 1351 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.