STAND. COM. REP. NO. 245-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: H.B. No. 2825
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No.
2825 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE HEALTHY
     START PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to prevent child abuse and
neglect by appropriating $5,700,000 to fund the Healthy Start
Program (Program).

     Child and Family Service, the Hawaii Chapter of the American
Academy of Pediatrics, the Hawaii Family Support Center, KCAA
Pre-Schools of Hawaii, Maui Family Support Services, the Healthy
Start Koolau Loa Program, the Kauai Good Beginnings Community
Council, the Hawaii Catholic Conference, Parents and Children
Together, the Good Beginnings Alliance, and an individual
testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Health
testified in support of this measure, only if it does not replace
or adversely impact priorities as indicated in the Executive
Supplemental Budget Request.  The Department of Education
testified in support of the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that the Program has been instrumental
in reducing the number of child abuse and neglect cases by
providing intensive support to families from the onset.  This
measure will ensure the safety of infants and toddlers at-risk,
and reduce the social problems which result from early trauma and
neglect.

 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 245-00
                                 Page 2

 
     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No.
2825 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 Health,



                                   ______________________________
                                   ALEXANDER C. SANTIAGO, Chair