STAND. COM. REP. NO.  29

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 872

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 872 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FEDERAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a pilot project to assist undocumented immigrants who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.

     Several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center provided comments.

     In the past year, many domestic violence service providers have seen an increase in the number of immigrants, both documented and undocumented, seeking services.  There are several issues complicating the ability of these service providers to assist those seeking help, including language barriers, cultural norms, and legal issues. 

     Your Committee finds that this measure will serve as a means of mitigating current complications in service delivery to undocumented immigrants.  In addition, the Office of Community Services also expressed a willingness to support undocumented immigrants who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Allowing, rather than requiring, DHS to establish the              pilot project; and

     (2)  Removing references to contracts with nonprofit                    organizations; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 872, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 872, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair