Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 869 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow an individual with developmental disabilities to receive unlicensed home and community based services.

The Department of Human Services, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, The Arc of Kauai, Kona Krafts, and two individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Health submitted comments.

Your Committees find that services for individuals with developmental disabilities have evolved to allow consumers greater freedom of choice and an increased role in directing the implementation of services. The same should apply when fulfilling the housing needs of the developmental disabled. This measure gives an individual with developmental disabilities the right to make a choice to live in a home or to share a home that is not licensed as long as adequate supports are present.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 869 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.