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 S.B. No. 2185 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create the community-based, family-centered models special account to award grants to establish and maintain community-based, family-centered models throughout the State and to appropriate funds for the Even Start literacy program.

Your Committee finds that one-stop, community-based family centers encourage family strengthening and skill enhancement. Your Committee further finds that the Even Start preschool and parent education program helps prepare children from non-English speaking and economically disadvantaged families to enter kindergarten meeting age appropriate standards. Funding for these programs is essential to ensure their continued support of Hawaii's families.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from the Department of Education, the Department of Human Services, Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School, Blueprint for Change, Keiki O Ka 'Aina Family Learning Centers, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the measure from the Department of Budget and Finance. The Attorney General submitted comments regarding this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2185, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2185, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.