STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1211

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 952

S.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 952, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Human Services to establish a five-year Child Welfare System Diversion and Intervention Pilot Program to provide services for families and children involved, at risk of involvement, or at the risk of reinvolvement, with child welfare services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Wellness and Resilience; Department of Human Services; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Hawai‘i Youth Services Network; Hawaii Coalition for Child Protective Reform; Opportunity for Youth Action Hawai‘i; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Ohana Unity Party; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that additional initiatives are necessary to address gaps in the State's child welfare system and provide meaningful support to families in need. By establishing a five-year Child Welfare System Diversion and Intervention Pilot Program, this measure fosters long-term stability and better outcomes for children and caregivers through access to trauma-informed peer support navigators, financial assistance, and other essential services.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 952, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair