STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1789-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.R. No. 158

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 158 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO ESTABLISH A PROTOCOL AND TRAINING PROGRAM FOR FIRST RESPONDERS IN CHILD PROTECTIVE AWARENESS SKILLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to help ensure the safety of Hawaii's children by calling on the Department of Human Services (DHS) to convene a task force to establish protocols and training programs for first responders, including the county police departments, the sheriffs and other law enforcement agencies, the fire department, and emergency medical personnel, to use when coming into contact with children who may be victims of, or who are at risk for, child abuse.

     A concerned individual supported this resolution.  DHS supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that first responders, including police officers, members of the fire department, and emergency medical personnel, have the unique duty of responding to a wide variety of situations in which children may be found who are the victims of or who are at risk for child abuse.  Therefore, first responders must be provided with appropriate training to afford our keiki the highest level of protection.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 158 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair