STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2222

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 202

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 202 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DECLARING APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to declare April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the O‘ahu County Committee of the O‘ahu County Democrats and O‘ahu County Democrats Legislative Priorities Committee.

Your Committee finds that child abuse and neglect continue to pose serious threats to the nation's children. In 2017, an estimated 674,000 children suffered abuse nationally, while nearly 4,000 cases of suspected child abuse are reported in Hawaii every year. Child abuse and neglect are community problems requiring community solutions and in April, Child Abuse Hawaii is participating in the Blue Ribbon Project to increase public awareness of and foster conversations about child abuse and neglect. Your Committee further finds that designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month will support Child Abuse Hawaii's efforts to encourage Hawaii residents to work together to support child abuse prevention.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 202, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair