STAND. COM. REP. NO. 33

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 166

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 166 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CLEAN AND SOBER HOME AND HALFWAY HOUSE TASK FORCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a task force within the Department of Health to regulate clean and sober homes and halfway houses to ensure that Hawaii's residents have access to these facilities and that they are operated in a way that works for the surrounding communities.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Ku Aloha Ola Mau, Makana O Ke Akua Inc., Oxford House Inc. – Hawaii, and one private citizen.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that clean and sober homes and halfway houses are an integral step in the treatment of individuals who have been recently released from incarceration and are dealing with substance abuse issues.  Your Committee further finds that more regulation of clean and sober homes is necessary to best serve both clean and sober homes' clients and the residents residing in the near vicinity of these facilities.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 166 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair