STAND. COM. REP. NO.  788

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 1354

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1354, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure that all children have the opportunity to grow into successful, well-adjusted adults by appropriating general funds and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds for the Healthy Start and Enhanced Healthy Start programs to address budgetary shortfalls and implement recommended program improvements.

     Parents and Children Together, Maui Family Support Services, Inc., Child & Family Service, Good Beginnings Alliance, and many concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Department of Human Services opposed this measure.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Removing the appropriation amounts;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1354, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1354, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair