STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1030

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1377

       H.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1377, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Make an appropriation to develop the specifications and pricing, as well as an implementation plan, for a web-based data system in the Early Intervention Section of the Department of Health; and

     (2)  Make an appropriation for operating expenses and to establish one permanent coordinator position in the Children with Special Health Needs Branch of the Department of Health to improve social-emotional and behavioral outcomes for children from birth to age five.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Early Intervention Coordinating Council, and PROJECT VISION HAWAII.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committees find that Hawaii has served as a pioneer and leader in population-based child health promotion, identification, and intervention programs.  These initiatives, designed and field-tested in Hawaii, serve as the foundation for health care delivery systems across the country for children with special health care needs and their families, as well as those who are at risk.  The web-based data system and coordinator position supported by this measure would enable more effective and efficient state early intervention services and support for children with special needs.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1377, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Housing,

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

____________________________ JOSH GREEN, Chair