STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1028

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 825

      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 Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 825 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CAREGIVING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to support the development of policies to strengthen support for family caregivers by:

     (1)  Expanding the definition of "family caregivers" for purposes of the Joint Legislative Committee on Family Caregiving (Committee);

     (2)  Expanding the scope of the Committee to include the possibility of establishing a paid family leave program under the State's temporary disability insurance law; and

     (3)  Extending the existence of the Committee to June 30, 2008.

     The Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, ILWU Local 142, AARP Hawaii, Child and Family Service, Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, Hawaii Aging Advocates Coalition, Kokua Council, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  The National Federation of Independent Businesses and a concerned individual provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 825, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 825, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair