STAND. COM. REP. NO. 918

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 537

H.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 537, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE KAPIOLANI CHILD AT-RISK EVALUATION PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to maintain the effectiveness of detecting child abuse or neglect by appropriating funds for the continuation of the Kapiolani Child At-Risk Evaluation (CARE) Program.

CARE provides:

(1) Forensic medical evaluations for children who are being investigated for allegations of abuse and neglect; and

(2) Pre-placement medical evaluations and comprehensive health evaluations for children entering foster care.

The Kapiolani CARE Program, Hawaii Foster Parent Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and three concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. The Department of Human Services supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee has amended this bill by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 537, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 537, H.D. 2.

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

 

____________________________

DWIGHT TAKAMINE, Chair