Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Labor, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 60 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to study laws that facilitate or detract from effective work-family policy.

An individual submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments.

Your Committees find that many working families have responsibilities for family members with extraordinary needs, including children with special needs, adults with disabilities, and dependent elders. Working families discover that it is a difficult task to take care of their children or be a caregiver for the elderly, which often requires both personal and professional sacrifices. In addition, conflicts over work-family issues will often enter the workplace, becoming a major issue of concern with both the employee and employer.

Many states, including Hawaii, have enacted a multitude of laws that support state policies by assisting families with work-family issues to promote a sustainable and successful economy through workforce development. The extent of the failure or success of these programs and policies is unclear. This measure will strengthen Hawaii's work-family laws in addressing the needs of the growing number of employees with children and elderly responsibilities.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Labor that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 60, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 60, S.D. 1.