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. 1423, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a Commission on Fatherhood to make recommendations and oversee policies to create programs and services that promote healthy family relationships that are father friendly and inclusive.

Your Committee finds that there is a renewed understanding of the unique importance of fathers in the lives of their children. This important role is sometimes unintentionally overlooked in government programs and services dealing with children's health, welfare, and education. This measure would establish a statewide program, on a permanent and continuing basis, to promote healthy family and father-child relationships.

Your Committee has made a technical amendment to this measure by providing that, of the nine private members initially appointed by the Governor to this commission, three persons each shall be appointed for one year, two year and three year terms, respectively. Your Committee has further amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, and by making a few technical nonsubstantive changes.

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. 1423, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1423, S.D. 2.