STAND. COM. REP. NO. 229-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2426

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2426 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RELATIVE RESOURCE CAREGIVERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify when a relative seeking to be a resource caregiver for a child is entitled to an administrative appeal for denial of a foster home license.

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

Your Committee finds that under existing law, the Department of Human Services is required to provide the specific reasons for the denial and an explanation of the procedures for an administrative appeal when a relative is denied a license to be a child's resource caregiver. Your Committee further finds that this requirement has led to some confusion about when and whether a relative applying to be a potential foster replacement can request an administrative hearing to challenge any decisions regarding placement of a child in their home. Your Committee believes that this measure will alleviate this confusion by clarifying that a relative seeking to be a foster replacement for a child can appeal a denial of their application through the Department of Human Services' administrative appeals process.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 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. 2426, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2426, 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,

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair