STAND. COM. REP. NO. 201

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 777

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 777 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BACKGROUND CHECKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure the safety of vulnerable persons by authorizing the Department of Human Services to conduct comprehensive background checks on current or prospective employees; volunteers; contractors; and contractors' employees, agents, and volunteers, whose position places or would place them in close proximity to certain minors, young adults, or vulnerable adults.

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

Your Committee finds that expanding the scope of background checks performed by the Department of Human Services on individuals working with or in close proximity to individuals receiving services from the Department is necessary to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of vulnerable populations in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 777, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 777, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair