STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2479

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2587

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2587 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Youth Commission to appoint an Executive Director.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Youth Services, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and four individuals from the Hawaii State Youth Commission. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that Act 108, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, established the Youth Commission and appropriated funds for its administration and one Children and Youth program specialist staff position. The Youth Commission's mission is to provide a strong youth voice in advising the Governor and effecting legislative policies as they relate to youth issues in the State. Most boards and commissions across the State have an Executive Director such as the Disabilities and Communications Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. To provide the Youth Commission with administrative support and leadership on key issues impacting youth, this measure requires the Youth Commission to appoint an Executive Director.

With the creation of an Executive Director position, your Committee requests the Department of Human Services to adopt or amend existing administrative rules to define the duties and responsibilities of an Executive Director. As the Office of Youth Services currently has one long-term vacant position, your Committee finds that it is not necessary to establish a new position within the Office of Youth Services for an Executive Director.

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. 2587 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair