HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2012

 

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair

Rep. Jo Jordan, Vice Chair

 

Rep. Della Au Belatti

Rep. Jessica Wooley

Rep. Faye P. Hanohano

Rep. Ryan I. Yamane

Rep. Chris Lee

Rep. Corinne W.L. Ching

Rep. Dee Morikawa

Rep. Kymberly Marcos Pine

 

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

 

DATE:

Monday, January 23, 2012

TIME:

8:45am  – 9:45am

PLACE:

Conference Room 329

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

 

A M E N D E D  A G E N D A

 

 

CANCELLED

 

 

The purpose of this informational briefing is to discuss questions, concerns, and/or comments regarding the following bills:

 

HB1710

RELATING TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES.

Drug Testing; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Requires applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash benefits to submit to drug testing when reasonable cause exists indicating illegal drug use. Establishes ineligibility to receive benefits for one year for testing positive or refusing to submit to drug testing

 

 HB1711

RELATING TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; Drug Screening

Requires drug testing for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) applicants. Provides that applicants who test positive for a controlled substance may receive TANF funds upon the successful completion of a 6-month substance abuse program

 

Specifically, this informational briefing will answer some of the high-profile questions and concerns about these measures such as:

 

Do these measures violate the U.S. Constitution's 4th Amendment right of unreasonable searches and seizures of the individual?

 

Private employers are allowed to drug test prospective employees.  Does this mean the government should be allowed to drug test welfare recipients or applicants?

 

Is there a relevant connection between TANF recipients and illegal drug use?

 

Are these measures unreasonably targeting or stereotyping TANF (public assistant) recipients and applicants?

 

Finally, at the conclusion of this informational briefing, the Chair will summarize the relevant arguments for and against these two measures.

 

 

The following organizations and/or individuals have been invited to participate:

 

Pat McManaman, Director of the Department of Human Services (or her designee); and

David Louie, Hawaii State Attorney General (or his designee); and

American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii; and

Alan Johnson, Director of Hina Mauka; and

Kat Brady, Community Alliance on Prisons; and

Any other organizations or individuals that will potentially be affected by these measures.

 

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6050 or email your request for an interpreter to HouseInterpreter@Capitol.hawaii.gov at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements.  Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

 

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6050.

 

Selected meetings are broadcast live.  Check the current legislative broadcast schedule on the "Capitol TV" Web site at www.capitoltv.org OR call 536-2100.

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

Rep. John M. Mizuno

Chair