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. 2615, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to affirm the importance of kinship placement and a child's attachment and bonding with a kin or non-kin foster caregiver.

In addition, this measure also requires the Department of Human Services to make a good faith effort, which includes consulting with the Na Kapuna Tribunal, to identify extended family members for possible placement of a child.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by three individuals. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition, Na Kupuna O Kahana, Na Kupuna Tribunal, and three individuals. The Department of Human Services, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Hawaii Foster Parents Association, and the Hawaii Coalition of Christian Churches submitted comments on this measure. The Judiciary provided comments on this measure.

Your Committee finds that this bill recognizes the importance of a foster child's attachment and bonding to present caregivers while still stressing the importance of the best interest of the child.

Your Committee has amended this measure to require that current foster care providers be the presumptive choice for the adoption of a child placed in their care for more than one year unless it can be shown that this is not in the best interest of the child.

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. 2615, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2615, S.D. 2.