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. 2188 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to replace the director of the office of children and youth with the chief justice of the supreme court, or a designee, as a member of the Commission on Fatherhood.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from the Department of Human Services, Family Support Services of West Hawaii, Hawaii Coalition for Dads, State Commission on Fatherhood, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the measure from the Judiciary. The Attorney General submitted comments on this measure.

Your Committee finds that fathers' presence has a positive impact on the lives of their children, as reflected in better school performance, less high-risk behaviors, higher self-esteem, and less substance abuse. The State Commission on Fatherhood plays an important role in promoting healthy family relationships between parents and children, and promotes involved, nurturing, responsible fatherhood.

Your Committee acknowledges the importance of the separation of powers within the three branches of state government, and recognizes that the Commission also serves incarcerated fathers. Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by removing the chief justice from the Commission's membership, and adding the director of public safety as a member of the Commission. Your Committee also has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

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. 2188, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2188, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.