STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1592

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 391

      S.D. 2

      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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 391, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide a network of safe places where youth who are 21 years of age or younger can access safety and obtain advice, guidance, programs, and services by:

(1)  Requiring the Office of Youth Services to coordinate a two-year Safe Places for Youth Program in partnership with private organizations to provide access to and linkage with services and programs needed by youth; and

(2)  Establishing the Safe Places for Youth Program Coordinator to coordinate the Pilot Program and facilitate program efforts; and

(3)  Appropriating an unspecified amount of funds for each year of the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium for the Safe Places for Youth Program Coordinator and residential options for the Pilot Program.

The Department of Education, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Community Alliance for Mental Health, United Self Help, and two individuals supported this measure.  The Office of Youth Services and Domestic Violence Action Center commented on this measure.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 391, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair