STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2762

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2214

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2214, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BRIDGE TO HOPE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to increase efforts to allow education and training as one of the pathways to economic self-sufficiency for recipients of federal assistance.

     Specifically, this measure modifies the eligibility requirements of and expands the Bridge to Hope program to enable all heads of households who are participating in the First-to-Work program to pursue a full range of educational activities as part of their work activities.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, University of Hawaii, University of Hawaii Bridge to Hope, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Hawaii Women Work!, National Association of Social Workers, and thirteen individuals.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee amended this measure to clarify the reference to the current statute pursuant to which the Department of Human Services has expanded education policy for First-to-Work participants as section 346‑68, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Your Committee also made technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2214, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2214, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair