Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2474 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide support and assistance to former foster children between eighteen and twenty-four years old who are at-risk for unemployment, homelessness, and other negative outcomes.

Specifically, the bill appropriates funds to establish a program to assist former foster children in the areas of job placement, skills training, education, and housing.

Your Committee finds that the transition from foster care to adulthood is a very difficult path for many former foster care individuals. Without the continuation of support services that they received from foster parents and state programs when they were younger, many of these young adults face low odds for a successful life of achievement as an adult.

Your Committee has amended the bill by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2474, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2474, S.D. 1.