STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2763

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2246

       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. 2246, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION BOARD ALLOWANCE FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Extend the timeframe in which a former foster youth may apply for a higher education board allowance;

     (2)  Provide a foster youth, who is between twenty‑two and twenty‑six years of age as of July 1, 2008, and who is already attending a higher education institution, with an opportunity to apply for a higher education board allowance within one-year;

     (3)  Increase the maximum age for the benefit; and

     (4)  Set a maximum benefit length of sixty months.

     The Department of Human Services; Legal Aid Society of Hawaii; Hawaii Foster Parents Association; Hawaii Youth Services Network; Hawaii Catholic Charities, Hawaii Family Forum; and Children's Alliance of Hawaii, Inc. submitted testimony in support of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that compared to the general population, former foster youth have a higher risk of becoming homeless, incarcerated, involved in violence, or of reentering "the system" as parents of abused or neglected children.  Higher education board allowances have been helpful in assisting foster youth to successfully transition into the community.  Your Committee finds that this measure will help former foster youth become healthier, more productive adults.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, 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. 2246, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2246, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair