STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1714

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 105

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 105, S.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON ITS EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ISSUES RELATED TO THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION UNIT IN ITS DISABILITY COMPENSATION DIVISION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to report on its efforts to keep its commitment to work with vocational rehabilitation stakeholders and address the issues raised and recommendations made to improve the performance of the Vocational Rehabilitation Unit in its Disability Compensation Division.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from eight individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and nine individuals.

     Your Committee finds that concerns have been raised regarding the Vocational Rehabilitation Unit being administered in a different manner than in the previous three and a half decades, contrary to the original intent of the system as expressed in section 386-25(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Specifically, concerns have been raised that the Vocational Rehabilitation Unit is administered in a manner that is punitive and retaliatory toward counselors who are advised of the authority of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to revoke their certification or registration under section 12-14-19, Hawaii Administrative Rules.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that an official report addressing these concerns from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will assist in identifying and resolving specific concerns.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 105, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair