Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 269 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to prevent child abuse and neglect by appropriating funds to the Hawaii Children's Trust Fund Endowment Fund.

The Hawaii Children's Trust Fund (HCTF), Blueprint for Change, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Health supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committees find that HCTF is dedicated to achieving its goal to prevent child abuse and neglect. While HCTF has accomplished much, there is still much work to be done. Economic stress and societal issues such as substance abuse are contributing factors to child abuse and neglect. HCTF is requesting $125,000 to leverage federal funds to further prevent child abuse and neglect in Hawaii.

Your Committees have amended this bill by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 269, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 269, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.