Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2931 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to establish standards for background checks to ensure the reputable and responsible character of service providers who have direct contact with individuals receiving services through Adult and Community Care Services Branch programs.

Testimony in favor of the measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services and the Kokua Council.

Currently, the only background check requirement for Adult and Community Care Services Branch service providers is performed on Home and Community-based Case Management Agencies and Community Care Foster Family Homes under the Residential Alternative Community Care Medicaid waiver program. Your Committees find that this is insufficient to ensure the safety and well-being of the department's clients. This measure will require that all programs under the Adult and Community Care Services Branch perform the necessary background checks of its service providers to ensure that reputable and responsible individuals have contact with their clients.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2931 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.