STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1294

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 1441

      S.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 S.B. No. 1441, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CERTIFICATION OF CHILD PLACING ORGANIZATIONS, CHILD CARING INSTITUTIONS, FOSTER BOARDING HOMES, AND ADOPTIVE HOMES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure the safety of children in various types of child care settings by requiring child abuse and neglect registry checks of:

(1)  Prospective adoptive parents and all adults residing in  prospective adoptive homes;

(2)  All adults residing in foster boarding homes as a condition for a certificate of approval; and

(3)  All operators and employees of child care institutions and child placing organizations.

This bill also requires criminal history record checks of all adults residing in foster and adoptive homes.

     The Department of Human Services testified in support of this bill.

     These checks will help to determine the suitability of adults before a decision is made to approve a foster or adoptive home, thereby ensuring that children are placed in a safe and appropriate setting.

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1441, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair