STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2073

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  S.B. No. 2567
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was
referred S.B. No. 2567 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR RESPITE CARE
     SERVICES FOR FAMILIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation for
respite care services for families of individuals with special
needs.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Health, Disability and Communication
Access Board, State Planning Council on Developmental
Disabilities, Easter Seals Hawaii, Hawaii Podiatric Medical
Association, Special Education Center of Hawaii, and five private
individuals.

     The last major appropriation for respite care was made in
1990 for $1,000,000 to help families who provide home care to
their sons or daughters with special needs, by providing them
with support services and training.  The respite care budget has
not increased since 1990, although several budget cuts have been
made over the years that significantly reduced the funds for
respite care.  For fiscal year 1999-2000, $624,128 was allocated
for respite care, resulting in fewer families being served and in
less money for each family.


 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2073
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     Your Committee finds that there are approximately five
thousand five hundred families who are in need of respite care
services to maintain their sons or daughters at home rather than
institutionalizing them.  However, because of budget cuts, only
about eight hundred ninety-seven families could be served in
1999-2000.  For many families, the Department of Health's respite
program is their only source of support.  The respite program
allows families to choose their own care providers.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of S.B. No. 2567 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 and Human
                                   Services,



                                   ______________________________
                                   SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

 
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