STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2298

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 3061

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 3061 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FIRST-TO-WORK PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to conform certain terms used in statute to mirror federal terms in the First-To-Work Program, and to conform the state program to federal requirements.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services.

     The First-To-Work Program encourages, assists, and requires Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Temporary Assistance for Other Needy Families applicants and recipients to fulfill their responsibilities to support their children by preparing for, accepting, and retaining employment.  Your Committee finds that this measure allows the Department of Human Services to recognize current federal regulations, as well as have the flexibility to adjust to future federal regulatory changes pertaining to the First-To-Work Program.

     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. 3061 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair