STAND. COM. REP. NO.  531-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1650

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health & Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1650 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD SAFETY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to allow parents or guardians to access findings of investigations conducted by the Department of Human Services (Department) relating to child abuse or neglect that occurred within a group child care home or group child care center.  This measure also authorizes disclosure of any investigation that involves a finding that a felony or misdemeanor has been committed to any person.

 

     Parents and Children Together, The Queen's Health Systems, Sounds of Success Preschool and Learning Center, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Human Services and Department of the Attorney General provided comments.  

 

     Your Committee notes the confidentiality concerns raised by the Department regarding allegations of child abuse or neglect that are not confirmed by the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department and immediately expunged.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying the type and scope of information that the Department may release in order to protect confidentiality;

 

     (2)  Removing the provision that specified that any investigation involving a finding of a felony or misdemeanor may be disclosed;

 

     (3)  Clarifying that names and identifying information of all individuals are protected from disclosure; and

 

     (4)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1650, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1650, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair