STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2260

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2089

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2089 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A YOUTH COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a Youth Commission within the Office of Youth Services to advise the Governor and Legislature on the effects of legislative policies, needs, assessments, priorities, programs, and budgets concerning the youth of the State; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the hiring of one staff position to administer the Youth Commission and other administrative costs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Youth Services, IMUAlliance, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Students for Public Outreach and Civic Education, Community Alliance on Prisons, Rainbow Family 808, Hawai‘i Educational Policy Center, and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that increasing youth participation in the public policymaking process is a vital state interest. Your Committee further finds that although youth under the age of eighteen are not allowed to vote, they deserve access and input through other means in the policymaking process. Your Committee recognizes that a youth commission would enable a greater role for young people in the policymaking process by advising the Governor and Legislature on legislative policies and priorities concerning the youth of the State.

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 S.B. No. 2089 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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JOSH GREEN, Chair