Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1780, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to extend the repeal date applicable to the State Commission on Fatherhood (Commission) from June 30, 2005, to June 30, 2007.

This measure also places the Commission under the Department of Human Services for administrative purposes and appropriates funds received by the State from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program to carry out the purposes of the Commission.

Your Committee finds that this measure will provide the Commission with the support, funding, and additional time needed to fulfill its duties. This includes selecting a strategic plan; coordinating public award recognition of exemplary businesses with parent-friendly policies; raising public awareness on the impact of fatherhood on children; serving as a central clearinghouse and coordinating body for fatherhood activities and services; identifying obstacles impeding the involvement of fathers with their children; and recommending policies and practices that promote and re-engage fathers in the lives of their children.

Your Committee has amended this bill by changing the appropriations to unspecified amounts to facilitate further discussion and by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1780, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1780, S.D. 2.