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.C.R. No. 26 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure the timely updating of the Child Protective Services System database and to ensure that parents and caregivers are provided with information regarding their rights and responsibilities within the child welfare system.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that updates to the Child Protective Services System are improperly performed, including timely filing, database input, and expungement when necessary. Failure to document case files impacts a database’s reliability and may cause decision-makers to lack key information. Missing information may contribute to delays in decision-making, custody proceedings, and permanency planning.

Your Committee further finds that parents and caregivers must be fully informed of their rights and responsibilities for providing care to children under the Child Protective Services System. The primary responsibility for informing parents and caregivers should be with the Child Protective Services System and the Department of Human Services.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 26 and recommends its adoption.