STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1791

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1079

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1079, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish trauma-informed organizational assessments and training curricula for the Child Welfare Services Branch within the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Office of Wellness and Resilience of the Office of the Governor, State Council on Mental Health, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that many children and families who are referred to the Child Welfare Services Branch have experienced significant trauma. Your Committee recognizes that as part of adopting a trauma-informed approach to providing service to children and families in the child welfare system, proper training and support of dedicated professionals is key. Your Committee finds that establishing trauma-informed organizational assessments and training curricula will improve the child welfare system's ability to effectively support both the families impacted by trauma and the staff serving them.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1079, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair