STAND. COM. REP. NO.  88-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2024

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 2024 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MINORS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to expand the circumstances under which minors may consent to no cost emergency shelter and related services to include cases where the provider is coordinating with Child Welfare Services.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Youth Services Network, Partners In Care, Hawaii Kai Homeless Task Force, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, and three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

 

     Your Committee supports minors' increased access to shelters and related services and their ability to independently consent to these services.  However, your Committee also notes the Department of Human Services' testimony that broadening youth access to no cost shelter services to include situations where the provider is coordinating with Child Welfare Services may unintentionally inhibit at-risk youth from seeking such services and impede those wishing to shelter minors.  According to the Department, chapter 350, Hawaii Revised Statutes, currently mandates shelter staff to report concerns of child abuse and neglect to Child Welfare Services or the police.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2024, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2024, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair