STAND. COM. REP. NO.  169

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 531

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 531 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to amend Hawaii's early intervention services law to be consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).

     The Hawaii Down Syndrome Congress and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Health and Hawaii Early Intervention Coordinating Council opposed this measure.  The State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Department of Education did not support this bill.

     Your Committees heard concerns from testifiers who stated that while they appreciated the intent of this measure, it is inconsistent with the provisions of IDEA.

     Accordingly, your Committees have amended this bill by:

     (1)  Replacing the term "self-help skills" with "adaptive development" in the definition of "developmental delay";

     (2)  Making various amendments in terminology that are consistent with IDEA;

     (3)  Removing the definition of "infant or toddler with a disability";

     (4)  Allowing parents to make certain choices on the types of early intervention services eligible children may receive; and

     (5)  Making other technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 531, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 531, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health,

____________________________ JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair

____________________________ MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair