STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1426

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 25

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 25 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE CHILDCARE AND ELDERCARE COMMUNITIES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES OF GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN BY SUPPORTING POLICIES AND SERVICES THAT ARE CONDUCIVE TO THAT FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the childcare and eldercare communities to acknowledge the unique circumstances of grandparents raising grandchildren by supporting policies and services that are conducive to that familial relationship.

     One individual submitted testimony in support of this measure.

     It is estimated that more than fourteen thousand grandparents are primary caregivers for their grandchildren in Hawaii.  The reasons that grandparents assume responsibility for their grandchildren often reflect broader social issues such as divorce, substance abuse, incarceration, mental illness, and neglect or abuse of the grandchildren.  The challenges and responsibilities of raising grandchildren often place substantial financial and emotional stress on grandparents.  This measure recognizes the contribution that grandparents make to the lives of their grandchildren and to the community by assuming these responsibilities and encourages supportive policies and services to help them in these demanding roles.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 25, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Public Housing,

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SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair