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. 2932 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to inform the police department of all dependent adult abuse or neglect reports, except self-neglect, and to inform the police department or prosecuting attorney of relevant information concerning a case when the information is required for the investigation or prosecution of the case.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services. The Honolulu Police Department and the Maui County Police Department submitted testimony in opposition. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that a dependent adult is someone who has a mental or physical impairment and is dependent upon another person or care facility for personal health and safety. These individuals are unable to fully protect themselves from harm. Passage of this measure will help in the reporting of adult abuse or neglect to county police and enhance the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators.

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. 2932 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.