STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1390

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 1128

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 1128, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish:

(1) Self-funded commercial enterprises vocational programs within the Office of Youth Services for disenfranchised young adults; and

(2) The Office of Youth Services Revolving Fund within the Office of Youth Services, for the receipt of income and payment of expenses generated from the commercial enterprise vocational programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaiian Homes Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, Kinai ‘Eha, Papa Ola Lōkahi, Kamehameha Schools, Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture, ‘Iolani Palace, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Partners in Development Foundation, The Queen's Health Systems, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, Kanaeokana, Bishop Museum, ‘Aha Ho‘ona‘auau ‘Ōiwi Hawai‘i, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that Act 201, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014, was enacted to reform and improve the State's juvenile justice system. Since then, there has been a twenty‑six percent reduction in admissions to the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility. Your Committee further finds that Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center was established by Act 208, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, to provide services for at-risk youth and young adults, including skills building, vocational training, and economic programming. The additional source of revenue proposed by this measure will support the Office of Youth Services' ongoing efforts to promote self-sustainability in at-risk youth and young adults.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Office of Youth Services to provide annual reports to the Legislature on the fiscal transactions and expenses of each service or program;

(2) Requiring the Director of Human Services to conduct an immediate audit of the Office of Youth Services if the annual reports on the fiscal transactions and expenses of each service or program are not submitted in a timely manner;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1128, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1128, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair