STAND. COM. REP. NO.118

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.B. No. 637

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 637 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OHANA CONFERENCING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to implement ohana conferencing as a practice in the resolution of child protective cases.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Testimony in opposition of this measure was submitted by the Hawaii State Foster Parents Association.

Your Committee recognizes that this measure is a means to facilitate and strengthen the network of protection of the extended family and the community for the child. The purpose of the ohana conference is to establish a plan that provides for the safety and permanency needs of the child.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 637 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Housing,

____________________________

MICHAEL P. KAHIKINA, Chair