STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1963

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 344

       H.D. 1

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. 344, H.D. 1, 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 measure is to urge the Department of Human Services to support Project Cuddle, a nationally recognized nonprofit agency that seeks to prevent baby abandonment, and to assess the feasibility of advertising the project's toll-free number.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Representative for the 27th District of the House of Representatives of the State of Hawaii and one individual.  The Department of Human Services submitted testimony in support of the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that baby abandonment is a national problem.  Your Committee further finds that alternatives to baby abandonment, such as the services and confidential assistance provided by Project Cuddle, are needed to help prevent abandonment.  Your Committee further finds that would-be recipients need to be informed of these services so that they can take advantage of them.  Hotlines are a valuable means to make these services available to those who need them.

     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. 344, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair