STAND. COM. REP. NO. 595

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 815

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 815 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for a coordinator and operating expenses to support a statewide self‑advocacy network for individuals with developmental disabilities.

     The State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Center on Disability Studies, Family Voices of Hawai‘i, Hawaii Centers for Independent Living, the Self‑Advocacy Council, and twenty‑seven individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Human Services submitted testimony in support of the intent of this measure.

     According to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the appropriated sums of $89,602 for fiscal year 2007-2008 and $89,602 for fiscal year 2008-2009 are based on a 1.0 FTE coordinator position to support the network in the coordination of meetings, outreach, travel arrangements, and leadership training and educational events.  The amount includes operating expenses for materials and supplies, printing and publications, utilities, communication, outreach, meetings, and stipends.

     Your Committee finds that major systems changes are being initiated that are designed to promote self-determination and self-directed services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Hawaii is at the forefront in acknowledging that individuals with developmental disabilities are capable of determining their personal goals and directing resources needed to accomplish those goals.

     A self-advocacy network has begun to organize with a growing small group of self-advocates to increase knowledge, understanding, and awareness of their rights, develop leadership skills, and empower themselves to take control of their lives, and make their own decisions.  Their mission is to raise the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities through leadership, education, and full participation in society.  This measure will support that mission by appropriating funds for a coordinator and operating expenses to support a statewide self‑advocacy network for individuals with developmental disabilities.

     It is your Committee's intent to support a statewide self‑advocacy network for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Designating the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as the appropriate agency to receive and administer the appropriated sums; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 815, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 815, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair