STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1387-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.C.R. No. 150

      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.C.R. No. 150 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTER FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to report on the feasibility of establishing a comprehensive center serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals to coordinate and improve their employment options through the Hawaii Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind Division of the Department of Human Services.

     This measure further requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to research model centers in other states and to:

     (1)  Define services to be delivered by a comprehensive state facility providing vocational rehabilitation services for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing;

     (2)  Identify the potential population of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Hawaii who may benefit from the provision of such services;

     (3)  Determine the feasibility of establishing such a center in Hawaii, including estimated costs;

(4)  Consult with various agencies familiar with serving the target population; and

(5)  Recommend legislation to establish such a center to the Legislature for the Regular Session of 2009.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the Deaf Hard of Hearing Advisory Board.  The Department of Human Services and one individual submitted comments in support of the intent of the measure.  The Legislative Reference Bureau offered comments.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to study the "establishment" rather than the "feasibility" of establishing the center.  This also requires modifying the title of the measure;

(2)  Requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to "suggest" rather than "define" prospective services to be provided in the center;

(3)  Requesting the Legislative Reference Bureaus to roughly estimate the costs of establishing such a center in Hawaii and survey similar start-up and operating costs of centers in other states, rather than determining the feasibility of establishing the center, including estimated costs; and

(4)  Requesting the Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division of the Department of Human Services, rather than the Legislative Reference Bureau, to identify the potential population of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Hawaii who may benefit from the services of a comprehensive center.

     Your Committee notes that these changes will make this measure identical to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 37, S.D. 1, on the same subject.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 150, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Legislative Management in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 150, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair