STAND. COM. REP. NO.  389

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 718

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 718 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOSTER YOUTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to assist former foster youth in living in a safe and secure environment when transitioning to adulthood by requiring the Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop and administer a program to assist former foster youth who have attained the age of 18 with finding and retaining housing.

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii Family Forum supported the intent of this measure.  DHS opposed this bill.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Allowing, rather than requiring, DHS to develop and administer a housing assistance program for former foster youth;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, 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 Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 718, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair