STAND. COM. REP. NO.  320

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 758

      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. 758 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND SERVICES FOR THE BLIND DIVISION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for the Department of Human Services's Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division, to upgrade equipment and facilities for the Ho‘opono Program.

     Your Committee recognizes that through the Ho‘opono Program, students receive effective blindness skills and techniques to lead independent and productive lives.  It is your Committee's understanding that Ho‘opono Program graduates receive employment at approximately $27 per hour.

     The Department of Human Services supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage continued discussion; and

     (2)  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. 758, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 758, 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