STAND

 

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1306-04

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.C.R. No. 132

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 132 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE JUDICIARY TO EXAMINE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF ELIMINATING REPORTS OF "THREATENED HARM" FROM THE VARIOUS TYPES OF REPORTS UPON WHICH AN INVESTIGATION IS REQUIRED TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Judiciary to examine the ramifications of eliminating reports of "threatened harm" from the various types of reports upon which an investigation is required to be carried out by DHS in connection with child protective services.

The Blueprint for Change and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. DHS supported the intent of this measure. The Judiciary provided comments.

Your Committee recognizes that Hawaii has an unusually high number of unsubstantiated cases of reported child abuse that may be attributable to using criteria of "threatened harm" as sufficient grounds to warrant the opening of a child protective system case. Your Committee has received testimony on various occasions from individuals who have complaints about the child protective services system that have remained unresolved.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this concurrent resolution by:

(1) Requesting DHS to address several issues regarding the complaints, appeals process, and parental rights; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and style.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 132, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 132, H.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Housing,

 

		____________________________ MICHAEL PUAMAMO KAHIKINA, Chair