STAND

 

STAND. COM. REP. NO.1142-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 2500

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2500, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to support the State's efforts in assisting the most vulnerable citizens by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Human Services to contract with a provider for legal assistance to families who adopt special needs children;

(2) Appropriating funds:

(A) To provide the State match for federal funds available for nonrecurring adoption expenses; and

(B) For a contracted provider to provide legal assistance to families who adopt special needs children;

(3) Appropriating funds for a contract to obtain Supplemental Security Income benefits for at least 100 applicants; and

 

(4) Appropriating funds for the Department of Human Services to contract with a provider to provide the State with a $1,500,000 cost saving by maximizing federal benefits available to Hawaii residents who are dually eligible for benefits under Medicaid and Medicare.

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii supported this measure. The Department of Human Services supported the intent of this bill.

The Department of Education opposed this bill.

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 S.B. No. 2500, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

 

		____________________________ DWIGHT Y. TAKAMINE, Chair