STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1455
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2007
RE: S.B. No. 1184
S.D. 2
H.D. 2
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Fourth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2007
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1184, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADULT PROTECTION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this bill is to protect certain "vulnerable adults" from abuse and financial and economic exploitation by strengthening and clarifying the laws on adult protective services.
AARP Hawaii, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, Hawaii Aging Advocates Coalition, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Kokua Council, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. The Hawaii Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers supported this measure with amendments. The Department of Human Services opposed this bill. The Disability and Communication Access Board and Christian Science Committee on Publication for Hawaii provided comments.
Your Committee recognizes the importance of protecting those in our society who are most vulnerable to abuse. Your Committee is concerned, however, that the amendments proposed by this measure to the current statute related to the reporting and investigation of abuse of dependent adults may have significant systemic implications to the operations of DHS and possibly the family courts.
Your Committee respectfully requests that the Committee on Finance closely examine the financial implications of this measure. DHS and other stakeholders such as social workers, are encouraged to continue discussion on how to collaborate effectively and efficiently to investigate and provide services or protection to adults at risk of abuse.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2112, to promote further discussion; and
(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1184, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1184, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,
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____________________________ TOMMY WATERS, Chair |
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