STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1528-04
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2004
RE: S.C.R. No. 127
S.D. 1
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2004
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Labor and Public Employment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 127, S.D. 1, entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ELIMINATION OF THE SOCIAL WORKER SERIES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) to delay the implementation of the planned elimination of the Social Worker series.
The School of Social Work of the University of Hawaii, Hawaii Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-Hawaii Chapter), Hawaii Government Employees Association, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. The Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed this measure. DHRD commented on this measure.
Currently, a serious shortage of social workers exists in Hawaii. Your Committee notes that to help solve this critical problem, DHRD was tasked with conducting a study of existing classification systems, including the classification system used for social workers under Act 253, Session Laws of Hawaii 2000, known as the Civil Service Reform Act. In 2003, DHRD began conducting the study of social worker classification and determined that it would be possible to ease the shortage of social workers by broadening the criteria for classification as a social worker. However, your Committee realizes that there are concerns as to how this reclassification will affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Your Committee applauds the willingness of the parties concerned with this measure to work together and is pleased that the NASW-Hawaii Chapter and DHRD have scheduled a meeting to address some of the concerns raised during consideration of this measure.
Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the delay in eliminating the Social Worker series shall not exceed three months;
(2) Clarifying that DHRD is also requested to consider input provided by the Departments of Education, Health, Human Services, Public Safety, and any other affected department or agency on the elimination of the Social Worker series;
(3) Requesting that DHRD examine the effects of changing minimum qualification requirements on the effectiveness of social services provided to clients; and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 127, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 127, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor and Public Employment,
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____________________________ MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair |
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