HB2657 HSCR135-02

 

STAND. COM. REP. NO.135-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2657

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2657 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to:

(1) Increase the personal needs allowance for residents in Adult Residential Care Homes (ARCHs) from $20 to $30, plus an increase or decrease in payments based on the federal cost of living allowance; and

(2) Appropriate funds to implement the increase.

Testimony in support of this measure was provided by the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and numerous concerned individuals. The Department of Human Services commented on the bill.

Your Committee finds that this measure increases the personal needs allowance paid to aged, blind, and disabled persons in ARCHs who have little or no income. The current state allowance for their personal needs is $20 per month, which goes to supplement federal Supplemental Security Income payments of $30 for the same purpose. Your Committee finds that the increase proposed by this bill will help recipients better meet their basic needs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2657 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 and Housing,

 

		____________________________ MICHAEL P. KAHIKINA, Chair