STAND. COM. REP. NO.  320-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2770

      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. 2770 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BRIDGE TO HOPE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to expand the Bridge to Hope Program by clarifying that participants be in the First-to-Work Program and allowing participants to be enrolled in vocational education programs.

     The Department of Human Services (DHS), University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, University of Hawaii's Bridge to Hope Coordinator, National Association of Social Workers – Hawaii Chapter, and many concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  A concerned individual supported this measure with amendments.

     Your Committee notes that DHS reported that a final rule issued on February 5, 2008, will permit the pursuit of a baccalaureate degree that is tied to a vocation, thereby allowing the use of federal funds.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by 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. 2770, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2770, 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