STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1020

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   S.B. No. 979

      S.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 979, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to provide a safe environment for Hawaii's youth that ensures their safety and health by, among other things:

 

(1)  Requiring the Office of Youth Services to implement a five-year Safe Places for Youth pilot program;

 

(2)  Establishing the position of the Safe Places for Youth pilot program Coordinator and specifying the Coordinator's duties and responsibilities;

 

(3)  Establishing a framework which allows youth under the age of eighteen to consent to accept services from a service provider of the Safe Places for Youth pilot program;

 

(4)  Requiring the Office of Youth Services to submit annual reports to the Legislature on the Safe Places for Youth pilot program; and

 

 

(5)  Appropriating funds for the Coordinator position of the Safe Places for Youth pilot program and temporary housing opportunities for youth in crisis who participate in the pilot program.  

 

     The Office of Youth Services, PHOCUSED, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Kokua Council & AARP 60, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii, Blueprint for Change, Family Programs Hawaii, Family Support Hawaii, Hale Kipa, and several individuals supported this measure.  Several individuals opposed this measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 979, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DEE MORIKAWA, Chair