STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1780

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 244

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. 244, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys for the Department of Human Services to collaborate with contracted community-based organizations to address the State's social services needs.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Youth Services Network, Easterseals Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, Parents and Children Together, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, Child and Family Service, Hawaii Foodbank, Hawaii Community Foundation, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii True Cost Coalition, numerous other organizations, and five individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that the State's community-based organizations provide childcare, workforce training, homelessness services, mental health services, and other valuable assistance. The moneys appropriated by this measure will help ensure that vulnerable populations in the State continue to have access to these services, regardless of any federal budget changes.

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. 244, 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