STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1394

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 20

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 S.C.R. No. 20 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO RESPECT CHILDREN'S RIGHTS WHEN ENACTING LEGISLATION RELATED TO CHILDREN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to recognize that children of this State are entitled to certain rights and urging lawmakers to respect children's rights when enacting legislation related to children.

     Volunteer Legal Services Hawai‘i and one individual submitted testimony in support of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that it is important to be cognizant of the rights of children when enacting laws and establishing policies that will impact their lives and futures.  The Legislature and the Governor should advocate for and take appropriate measures to protect children's rights, to help meet children's basic needs, and to expand children's opportunities to reach their potential.

     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 S.C.R. No. 20 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair