Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2188, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to remove the Director of the Office of Children and Youth as a member of the Commission on Fatherhood and to add the Director of Public Safety, or designee, as a member of the Commission on Fatherhood.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services.

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2188, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.