HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	135
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE REDUCTION OF VOTING Majority OF THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL ON KAUAI TO ten, TO ALLOW FOR QUORUM AT COUNCIL MEETINGS.

     WHEREAS, the State Rehabilitation Council on Kauai review, analyze and advise the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency regarding its performance of responsibilities that affect the ability of consumers to achieve employment outcomes; Develop, agree to and review State goals and priorities of the VR program; Assist VR in the preparation of the VR State Plan, amendments to the plan and needs assessment; Review and analyze the effectiveness of the VR Program and consumer satisfaction; Prepare and submit a VR annual report to the Governor and Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration; and Coordinate its activities with the activities of other disability-related councils within the State; and

     WHEREAS, the State Rehabilitation Council on Kauai have not held decision making for more than a year due to its inability to meet quorum; and

     WHEREAS, it is urged that there is established within the department a State Rehabilitation Council.  The council shall consist of twenty-one members appointed by the governor as provided in section 26-34 and without regard to section 78-4. However, it is recommended that 10 members present shall allow for voting.  The members shall include:

     (1)  At least one representative of a parent training and information center;

     (2)  At least one representative of the client assistance program;

     (3)  At least one qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor with knowledge of and experience with vocational rehabilitation programs, who shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member if employed by the vocational rehabilitation division of the department;

     (4)  At least one representative of community rehabilitation program service providers;

     (5)  Four representatives of business, industry, and labor;

     (6)  Representatives of disability advocacy groups representing a cross section of individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and mental disabilities, and parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty in representing themselves or are unable due to their disabilities to represent themselves;

     (7)  Current or former applicants for or recipients of vocational rehabilitation services;

     (8)  At least one representative of the state educational agency responsible for the public education of students with disabilities;

     (9)  At least one representative of the state workforce development council; and

    (10)  The administrator of the vocational rehabilitation

division of the department, who shall be an ex officio, nonvoting member; and

     WHEREAS, provided that the council shall include at least one member from each county; and provided further that a majority of the council members shall be persons who have disabilities and are not employed by the vocational rehabilitation division of the department; and

     WHEREAS, the council members shall elect a chairperson from the membership.  Each member of the council shall serve a three-year term but may not serve more than two consecutive full terms; and

     WHEREAS, any vacancy occurring in the council membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except that the governor may delegate the authority to fill such a vacancy to the remaining members of the council after making the original appointment; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, the State Rehabilitation Council on Kauai consist of 21 members with a voting majority of 10 and each member of the council shall serve a three-year term but may not serve more than two consecutive full terms; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Human Services, and the current Chair of the State Rehabilitation Council.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Relating to the State Rehabilitation Council