STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1959_______

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: S.C.R. No. 149
                                     S.D. 2
                                     H.D. 1




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No.
149, S.D. 2, entitled:

     "SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY FOR A
     COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW TO ASSESS SERVICES FOR DEAF, HARD OF
     HEARING, AND DEAF-BLIND POPULATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the
Commission on Persons with Disabilities (Commission) to conduct a
comprehensive review to assess services for deaf, hard of
hearing, and deaf-blind persons.

     The Department of Human Services (DHS), Ka Kuli ADVOCATES,
and the Aloha State Association of the Deaf testified in support
of this measure.  The Commission testified in support of the
intent of this measure.  The Hawaii State Coordinating Council on
Deafness commented on this measure.

     Your Committee recognizes that the provision of auxiliary
aids and services are necessary for the effective completion of
the study.  Therefore, it is your Committee's belief that funds
must be appropriated to make this study accessible to deaf, hard
of hearing, and deaf-blind persons.

     Your Committee has amended this concurrent resolution by:


 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1959_______
                                 Page 2

 
     (1)  Requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB), in
          conjunction with the Commission and DHS's Vocational
          Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division, to
          conduct the comprehensive review, rather than request
          the Commission to conduct the comprehensive review;

     (2)  Specifying that a proviso be included in the General
          Appropriations Act of 1999 to provide necessary funds
          for auxiliary aids and services in conducting the study
          and in assisting in the work of the task force;

     (3)  Requesting LRB, rather than the Commission, to submit
          the interim report and the final report to the
          Legislature;

     (4)  Clarifying that LRB assist in drafting any proposed
          legislation as a result of the study;

     (5)  Requesting that the Director of Human Services receive
          a copy of this concurrent resolution; and

     (6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity
          and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your
Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 149,
S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to
the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R.
No. 149, S.D. 2, H.D. 1.

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



                                   ______________________________
                                   ALEXANDER C. SANTIAGO, Chair