Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2923 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Office of Youth Services to obtain criminal history and child abuse information on employees, prospective employees, and volunteers of its providers and subcontractors that necessitates contact with youth.

Testimony in favor of this measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services and Hale `Opio Kaua`I. The Honolulu Police Department testified in opposition.

Your Committee finds that the Office of Youth Services oversees programs that service at-risk youth, and most of these services are contracted out to private agencies. Obtaining criminal history and child abuse records will assist the Office of Youth Services and its providers in determining whether a person is suitable for a position that requires contact with a youth. This process will ensure the health and safety of our youth.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by adding language to ensure avoidance of duplicative background checks by other public agencies.

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. 2923, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2923, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.