STAND. COM. REP. NO. 198
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2005
RE: H.B. No. 694
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2005
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Human Services and Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 694 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS OF THE OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this bill is to protect children receiving services provided through the Office of Youth Services (OYS) by:
(1) Requiring employees, prospective employees, and volunteers seeking employment with providers or subcontractors in positions placing them in close proximity to youth when providing services on behalf of OYS, to agree to criminal history record checks and child abuse record checks; and
(2) Authorizing OYS to require providers or subcontractors to refuse to employ or terminate employment of individuals convicted or confirmed to have abused or neglected a child, or who pose a risk to the health, safety, or well-being of youth receiving direct services.
OYS, the Department of Human Resources Development, Honolulu Police Department, and Hawaii Youth Services Network testified in support of this measure.
Your Committees note that OYS provides a range of services to at-risk youth largely through contracted agencies. These services should be provided in a safe environment. Criminal history information will assist OYS and its service providers in determining if an individual is suitable for working in a position that requires close proximity to youth.
Your Committees have amended this bill by:
(1) Requiring employees, prospective employees, and volunteers to agree only to criminal history record checks; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and style.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Labor & Public Employment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 694, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 694, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Labor & Public Employment,
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____________________________ KIRK CALDWELL, Chair |
____________________________ ALEX M. SONSON, Chair |
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