STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1684-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2878

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2878, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH TRANSITIONING FROM FOSTER CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood by:

(1)  Expanding the availability of higher education stipends by increasing the age of eligibility from 21 to 26 years old and permitting its use for any costs related to higher education, not limited to cost of board; and

(2)  Clarifying key areas for ongoing implementation regarding the eligibility for and requirements of the Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Program.

The Department of Human Services, Judiciary, Hawaii Youth Services Network, It Takes an Ohana, EPIC Ohana, Inc., Family Programs Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Opportunities Initiative, HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Board Oahu, HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Board West Hawaii, and many individuals provided testimony in support of the 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. 2878, S.D. 1, 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