STAND. COM. REP. NO.  19-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2140

      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. 2140 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to assist undocumented immigrants who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault by requiring the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a two-year pilot project to provide a variety of legal advice and social services to these victims.

     Oahu VOICES testified in support of this bill.  Na Loio supported the intent of this measure.  DHS, Domestic Violence Action Center, and Hawaii Centers for Independent Living provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Requiring the pilot project to help victims achieve federal Violence Against Women Act status;

     (2)  Requiring the pilot project to provide other services, including:

          (A)  Legal assistance with family law issues such as divorce, child custody and support, and housing and consumer issues; and

          (B)  Programs that assist victims who lack English language skills, case management services such as information and assistance with using public transportation, and obtaining identification;

          and

     (3)  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. 2140, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2140, H.D. 1, 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