STAND. COM. REP. NO.  836

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 398

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 398, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require child care facilities to develop, implement, and maintain policies to prevent sudden unexpected infant deaths and sudden infant death syndrome.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Child and Family Service, March of Dimes, and three individuals.  The Department of Health and the Department of Human Services submitted comments on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii is one of only seven states that do not regulate sleep positions in child care centers or family child care homes.  Requiring child care facilities that care for children under the age of one year to implement safe sleep policies will help to prevent infant deaths caused by unsafe sleeping environments and positions.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 398, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair