STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1783

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.C.R. No. 344

      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 Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 344 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SUPPORT PROJECT CUDDLE AND ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF ADVERTISING ITS HOTLINE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to prevent abandonment of babies by urging the Department of Human Services (DHS) to support Project Cuddle and assess the feasibility of advertising its hotline.

     The Representative of the 27^th District and a concerned individual testified in support of this concurrent resolution.  DHS supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this concurrent resolution by:

     (1)  Removing a reference to the name of an individual;

     (2)  Recognizing that approximately 20,000 babies are abandoned each year;

     (3)  Noting the hotline number, 1-88-TO-CUDDLE; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 344, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 344, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Acting Chair and Vice Chair