STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2462

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2310

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2310 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require certain amounts of child support monies collected by the Department of Human Services for public assistance of a child to pass through to the family receiving the public assistance; and to require the Department of Human Services to disregard passed through child support payments when determining the needs of an applicant for or recipient of public assistance.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, American Association of University Women of Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Zonta Club of Hilo, National Association of Social Workers - Hawaii, Hawaii Children's Action Network, Hawaii Women's Coalition, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that child support payments can make a substantial difference in the lives of families who are currently receiving or are at risk of needing public assistance. An additional $100 to $200 a month translates to a significant difference in quality of life in order to meet basic daily necessities. Modest increases in income from low-income families have been correlated with increased school attendance and achievement in long-term earning potential for children.

Your Committee heard the concerns of the Department of Human Services regarding implementation of a pass-through program.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by extending the effective date to January 1, 2021.

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. 2310, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2310, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

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

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RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair