STAND. COM. REP. NO. 918-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2141

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2141, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REPORTS TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to delete or revise outdated or obsolete reporting requirements of the Department of Human Services and Office of Youth Services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that under existing law the Department of Human Services (DHS) is required to submit several reports to the Legislature that are no longer necessary. Currently, DHS is required to report on brand-name and generic psychotropic prescriptions and the amount expended on each. Since the enactment of this reporting requirement, DHS has reported a positive trend to maintain access to psychotropic medications and explore cost savings through use of generic brands. The information contained in the report is not used for decision-making or any other purpose and thus, the reporting requirement is unnecessary.

Your Committee further finds that DHS is required to report on the adequacy of the assistance allowance as provided under chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes. This requirement was last updated in 1998; since that time, there have been substantial changes to federal financial assistance and health care programs, which renders the information requested no longer relevant to determine the adequacy of the assistance allowance.

Lastly, pursuant to Act 281, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006 (Act 281), the Office of Youth Services, which is within the DHS for administrative purposes, is required to submit a report with respect to programs established under Act 281. However, those programs are no longer funded. This measure eliminates these obsolete and unnecessary reports to the Legislature required of the DHS, which will clarify existing law, reduce the administrative burden on DHS, and increase efficiencies.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2141, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair