Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 946 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow a caregiver to execute an affidavit of caregiver consent to enroll a minor in school and allow full participation in curricular and co-curricular activities; and to provide for penalties under part V of chapter 710, HRS, for making a false statement on an affidavit for caregiver consent.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Na Keiki Law Center; Na Tutu, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Committee; and five concerned citizens. Testimony in support of the intent was submitted by the I.L.W.U. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Office of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that this measure would address the problems faced by relative caregivers who are unable to access educational services for children who reside with them, but with whom they have no legal relationship. This would allow children who are placed in a safe environment by their parents, to participate in educational, curricular, and co-curricular activities while they are living with their grandparents, relatives, or family friends.

Your Committee strongly encourages the Department of Education to explore ways to reduce the barriers to educational access faced by children residing with caregivers in situations such as this measure is intended to address.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 946 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.