STAND. COM. REP. NO. 570

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1144

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1144 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GUARDIANSHIP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to clarify the use of a Power of Attorney for the education of a minor.

     The Department of Education and the principals of Pearl City High School, Kapolei High School, Moanalua High School, Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, and Castle High School submitted testimony in support of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that under the existing law, some parents and guardians are apparently misusing a Power of Attorney to circumvent the procedure for establishing legal residency in a school's attendance area and gain access to school programs or services.  Among other things, this measure requires a parent or guardian to enroll a minor in the appropriate school.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1144 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair