STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1769

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.C.R. No. 33

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 33 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH BRANCH, TO STUDY THE ROLE OF GESTATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS, GENTLE BIRTHING PRACTICES, ADULT WELLNESS EDUCATION, DOMESTIC HARMONY AWARENESS, APPROPRIATE AND SUFFICIENT TOUCH, AND THE PRACTICE OF HEALING BIRTH TRAUMA, AND THEIR CONNECTION TO PUBLIC POLICY CONCERNS SUCH AS SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ALCOHOLISM, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND OBESITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to address physical, social, environmental, and mental health issues that concern the maternal and child health populations.

Specifically, this measure requests the Department of Health to study the impact of gentle childbirth practices, adult wellness education, domestic harmony, physical touch, and birth trauma on reducing public policy concerns such as substance and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and obesity.

     Oahu VOICES submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Health submitted testimony in opposition.

     Your Committee finds that the health and well-being of an unborn child is linked to the health and well-being of the mother.  Your Committee also finds that the developmental needs of individuals from conception through early infancy are affected by gestational environments, birthing practices, education and awareness of wellness and domestic harmony, and healing and physical contact.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 33 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

JOHN MIZUNO, Acting Chair & Vice Chair