STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2060

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2208

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. 2208 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A RIGHT TO PARENT FOR BLIND PERSONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish procedural safeguards and equal protection rights of blind parents or prospective blind parents in the context of child welfare, foster care, family law, and adoption.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Intertribal Council and sixteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of the Attorney General. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Human Services, and Disability and Communication Access Board.

Your Committee finds that there have been national reports indicating high rates of child removal and loss of parental rights from parents who are deaf or blind. Your Committee further finds that blind individuals often face certain preconceived biases and attitudes throughout their lives, especially during family and dependency law proceedings where custody and visitation are at stake and in public or private adoption, guardianship, and foster care proceedings. This measure seeks to ensure that individuals who are blind have the same opportunity as individuals who are not blind to serve as parents and care for their children.

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. 2208 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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JOSH GREEN, Chair