Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2378 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to revise the Hawaii Early Intervention Coordinating Council (HEICC) membership and duties to bring it in line with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 regarding the State Interagency Coordination Council.

The Department of Health (DOH) and HEICC supported this bill. The Department of Human Services supported the intent of this measure.

DOH reported that the restructuring of HEICC will improve the provision and coordination of intervention services to meet the needs of recipients of early intervention services. DOH has also added to HEICC's responsibilities the task of advising DOH in transitioning toddlers with special needs to preschool and other services, which is a service currently provided as a joint effort of DOH and the Department of Education.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2378 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.