STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3266
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.C.R. No. 189
S.D. 1
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.C.R. No. 189 entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO INVESTIGATE AND ASSESS LAWS AFFECTING AT-RISK YOUTH,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to protect the health and welfare of Hawaii's at-risk youth.
Specifically, this measure requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study of the efficacy of Hawaii's laws affecting youth under the age of eighteen and to recommend appropriate statutory changes. The Bureau is requested to examine the areas of:
(1) Emancipation;
(2) Custody by minor parents;
(3) Access to shelters by runaways; and
(4) Access to public benefits,
and to examine the laws of other states in comparison.
The Bureau is further requested to convene a working group of youth advocate stakeholders and representatives of public interest groups to collaborate with the Bureau in its investigation and study.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Waikiki Health Center, Hale Kipa, Inc., and the Children's Rights Council of Hawaii. The Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments
Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the Bureau is to examine Hawaii's laws and the laws of other states relating to selected issues concerning youth rights;
(2) Clarifying that the Bureau is to consult with youth advocate stakeholders and representatives of public interest groups, and to meet with them as a group to determine the selected issues and otherwise if deemed beneficial, rather than formally convening a working group consisting of these stakeholders and public interest groups; and
(3) Adding the Children's Rights Council of Hawaii to those the Bureau is to consult with.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 189, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 189, S.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,
____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair |
||