Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2161 entitled:

beg 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.

Testimony supporting this measure was received from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, one member of the Maui County Council, International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union, Kokua Council, and five individuals.

Your Committees find that many grandparents and other family members are raising their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews because the children's parents cannot, or will not, care for them. Caregivers should have the authority to seek medical help for the children they care for.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2161 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.