Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 166, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Human Services to temporarily delay its reorganization plan for the island of Hawaii.

Specifically, it requests the Department to convene additional public hearings regarding its decision to close the Child Welfare Services offices in Ka`u, Kamuela, and Captain Cook.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association and more than one hundred individuals. The Department of Human Services submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that this measure will offer the Department of Human Services, the affected community, Child Welfare Services staff, as well as interested agencies and organizations, another opportunity to discuss the realignment implications and its potential impact on the continuum of child abuse and neglect prevention, family support, family strengthening, and voluntary case management services for families and children.

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 H.C.R. No. 166, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.