Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2458, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize a minor's caregiver to consent to health care services for the minor and establish requirements for caregiver consent affidavits.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services (department), Child Welfare Services, and AARP Hawaii. Comments were submitted by the Judiciary.

The federal review of Hawaii's child welfare system recommends the use of culturally sensitive, family strengthening diversion and other supportive services to improve the safety and well-being of children and families. Your Committee finds that this measure implements the federal review's recommendations. This measure will ensure that a child will not be taken out of custody unnecessarily and will preserve the relationships that are important to every child's well-being.

Your Committee has adopted the amendments suggested by the Judiciary by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2458, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2458, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.