STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3110

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 123

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 123 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL TO COORDINATE AND DEVELOP FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER INFORMATION, EDUCATION, POLICIES, AND SUPPORT SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Encourage the Department of Health to establish a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Interagency Coordinating Council within the Family Health Services Division to coordinate and develop fetal alcohol spectrum disorder information, education, policies, and support services; and

     (2)  Require the Council to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is the umbrella term used to describe a range of disorders caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.  Your Committee further finds that alcohol exposure during pregnancy produces the most serious neurobehavioral effects in the fetus.  This measure will increase awareness about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, expand the capacity of the State to identify at-risk women, and facilitate a statewide strategic plan addressing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 123 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair