STAND. COM. REP. NO.237

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 322

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 322 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES BRANCH OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Developmental Disabilities Service Branch of the Department of Health (Branch).

Hawaii Government Employees Association – AFSCME, submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Hawaii Services for the Disabled submitted testimony in support of the intent of this measure. The Department of Health submitted testimony supporting the intent of this measure but expressed concern that the appropriation may be premature, considering the possible funding source from the recently established neurotrauma special fund under chapter 321-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Your Committee finds that the Branch provides critical services to persons with developmental disabilities, including maintaining support systems for persons with disabilities, and protecting their safety, health, and well being by certifying and monitoring adult foster homes and developmental disabilities domiciliary homes. Your Committee believes that this measure will assist the Branch in providing services to neurotrauma survivors and other persons with developmental disabilities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 322 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair