STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1003-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   H.C.R. No. 256

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 256 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO EXAMINE AND EVALUATE THE VERACITY, EXTENT, AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN ALLEGATIONS OF SHORTCOMINGS OF PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Department of Human Services (DHS) to examine and evaluate allegations of shortcomings of programs for adults with special needs.

     Your Committee recognizes that adults with special needs comprise a vulnerable population and require diligent care.  It is also noted that DHS contracts with various agencies to provide services to this population.  However, allegations of inadequacies and weaknesses in programs for adults with special needs have surfaced over the years.

     Your Committee would like to stress that it is critical to thoroughly examine these allegations.  It is vital that this group of individuals is properly cared for in a safe and reasonable manner.

     Therefore, your Committee requests that DHS investigate these allegations and submit a report of the findings and recommendations, including any necessary proposed legislation, to this body no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2011.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 256 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair