STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2911

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2162

       H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2162, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENT ISSUED IDENTIFICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Homeless Programs Office of the Department of Human Services to develop or expand homeless services, including assistance and public outreach for individuals to obtain and maintain government issued identification.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness under the Office of the Governor, Department of Human Services, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that to access basic needs and fully participate in modern society, it is essential for individuals to have the ability to establish their identity and obtain and maintain valid government issued identification.  With the passage of the federal REAL ID Act, individuals must possess and maintain their vital records, which can be difficult for homeless individuals, the elderly, low income individuals, recently released prisoners, and other vulnerable individuals, to establish an identity and principal address to obtain and maintain REAL ID compliant identification.  This measure will provide resources to the Homeless Programs Office to assist these individuals in that regard and generally improve homeless services.

     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. 2162, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

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SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair