STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1232

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 1176

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1176, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to conform the early intervention services law with the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, to provide early intervention services for certain children ages three to five.

     Specifically, this bill repeals the definition of "delayed development", adds a definition of "developmental delay", and amends the definitions of "early intervention services", and "infants and toddlers with special needs".  The effective date is July 1, 2020.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this bill from the Department of Education, the Cure Autism Now Foundation, Hawaii chapter, The Hawaii Down Syndrome Congress, the Hawaii Nei Keiki Center, The Aloha Place, the Good Beginnings Alliance, and eleven individuals.  Testimony in opposition was received from the Department of Health and the Hawaii Early Intervention Coordinating Council.  The State Council on Developmental Disabilities offered comments.

     Your Committees believe that this measure will help to provide safe and supportive environments to meet the needs of eligible children.  Your Committees note that Easter Seals currently provides relevant services and should be considered by the Department of Health to provide contracted services.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1176, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health,

____________________________ JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair

____________________________ MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair