Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 244, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to establish that individuals who have not received an eligibility decision on their application for public assistance within the time specified in administrative rules are presumptively eligible until an eligibility decision is made. In addition, this bill establishes exemptions to the presumptive eligibility when delays are caused by the applicant.

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter, and two concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. The Department of Human Services opposed this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 244, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.