STAND. COM. REP. NO.  334-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2027

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2027 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to:

(1)  Establish a pilot project to develop and operate facilities statewide to assist at-risk children up to 13 years-of-age from low-income households; and

(2)  Appropriate funds for this purpose.

     Malama O Kamali'i Makamae and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  DHS and several concerned individuals provided comments.

     Your Committee notes that Malama O Kamali'i Makamae is an organization that is capable of providing the services required in this bill.  Additionally, your Committee respectfully requests that transportation issues, such as transporting children to and from the programs offered under the pilot project, are considered by the appropriate parties.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Requiring DHS to work with the Department of Education, Department of Health (DOH), any and other appropriate state agencies to evaluate and inventory existing nonschool-hour programs and services to avoid duplication with the pilot project;

     (2)  Specifying that DHS shall also consult with DOH in developing programs;

     (3)  Adding Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds as funding options; 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2027, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2027, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair