STAND. COM. REP. NO. 881

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 986

       H.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 986, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOSTER CARE SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the monthly board rate distributed by the Department of Human Services for foster care services for children.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Family Programs Hawaii, and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Human Services has not raised the monthly board rate for foster care services since 1990.  The current monthly board rate in Hawaii of $529 for all children regardless of age is insufficient, due to increased costs for food, housing, utilities, clothing, and other necessities.

     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. 986, H.D. 1, 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 Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair