STAND. COM. REP. NO.  955

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

 

RE:   H.B. No. 844

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 844, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to address the prevalence of youth homelessness by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Office of Youth Services to coordinate a two-year Safe Places for Youth Pilot Program in partnership with private organizations, to coordinate a network of safe places that youth can access for safety and to obtain advice, guidance, programs, and services; and

 

     (2)  Establishing and appropriating funds for a coordinator position and for residential options for the Pilot Program.

 

     The Judiciary, Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Community Alliance on Prisons, Rainbow Family 808, and three individuals supported this measure.  The Office of Youth Services provided comments.

 

     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. 844, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair