STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2437

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2647

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2647 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish:

(1) A Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Task Force within the Department of Health for administrative purposes and require a report to the Legislature; and

(2) The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Special Fund, to be administered by the Department of Human Services and which shall consist of federal funds and interest earned on those funds.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Action Group, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and eight individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committees find that individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) often exhibit behaviors that parallel those who suffer from mental health or developmental disabilities. However, they cannot receive services dedicated to those with mental health or developmental disabilities due to the strict eligibility criteria. Past efforts have focused on educating the public about the dangers of alcohol consumption while pregnant. This measure establishes a task force to examine and develop guidelines, recommendations, and teaching protocols to support individuals with FASD.

Your Committees acknowledge the testimony of the Department of Human Services, which recommended deleting the proposed special fund because it is contingent on receiving federal funds that may never be provided to the State. Your Committees also acknowledge the testimony of the Department of Health, which raised concerns that it lacks the resources and funding to convene the task force proposed by this measure.

Therefore, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting the proposed special fund and replacing it with an appropriation to the Department of Health to establish and support the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Task Force;

(2) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion;

(3) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2647, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2647, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair