Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1780 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to place the State Commission on Fatherhood, created by Act 156, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, under the Department of Human Services for administrative purposes, extend the repeal date of Act 156 to June 30, 2007, and make an appropriation out of general revenues to fund the Commission.

Testimony in support of the measure was received by the Department of Human Services, the State Commission on Fatherhood, and the Hawaii Coalition for Dads.

Your Committee finds that the extension of the repeal date of Act 156 from June 30, 2005, to June 30, 2007, will give the Commission additional needed time to work towards its goals of promoting the role of fathers in promoting healthy childhood development and healthy families. Your Committee also finds that funds are needed to help achieve these goals.

Your Committee has amended the measure by designating that $50,000 per fiscal year be appropriated for fiscal years 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Further, your Committee has amended the measure by designating the funding for the commission come from monies the State receives from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

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. 1780, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1780, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.