STAND. COM. REP. NO. 566-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2061

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2061, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD SUPPORT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of the Attorney General to convene a study group to examine the impacts of child support monies collected by the Department of Human Services for the public assistance of children for pass through to the family receiving public assistance.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, AAUW of Hawaii, Domestic Violence Action Center, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Zonta Club of Hilo.

Your Committee finds that the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program is a time-limited welfare program that provides cash assistance and supportive services to needy families with children. The program is designed to help low-income families while they work toward self-sufficiency. Your Committee finds that implementation of a pass through program will require modifications to the Child Support Enforcement Agency's statewide case management computer system to consider TANF household members or recipients before passing through child support payments.

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 H.B. No. 2061, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair