STAND. COM. REP. NO. 212

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1018

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1018 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII ZERO TO THREE COURT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to support the Hawai‘i Zero to Three Court.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Hawaii Family Support Institute, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the period between one and three years of age is critical to the healthy development of a child. Your Committee further finds that instability and trauma in the life of a child during the early formative period can interrupt healthy patterns of growth and development, resulting in increased risk for numerous behavioral and developmental problems that can sabotage the child's future. Your Committee additionally finds that the Zero to Three Court has been established by the Judiciary to meet the needs of very young children and ensure that they can be placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. This measure provides funds to allow the Judiciary to continue and also enhance services provided by the Zero to Three Court.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the amount of appropriation for a program manager position to $59,616;

(2) Changing the amount of appropriation for a case manager position to $52,956;

(3) Making the program manager position permanent; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1018, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1018, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair