STAND. COM. REP. NO. 571

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 503

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 503, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director Of The Department Of Human Services

 

G.M. No. 503

PANKAJ BHANOT,

for a term to expire 12-03-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Pankaj Bhanot to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for Director of the Department of Human Services.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Pankaj Bhanot from Governor David Y. Ige; Department of Health; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Transportation; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of Taxation; Department of Public Safety; Department of Accounting and General Services; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Human Services, Social Services Division; Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Office of Enterprise Technology Services; Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Child & Family Service; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Hawaii Children's Action Network; Parents and Children Together; PHOCUSED; ‘Ohana Health Plan; SanHi Government Strategies; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and thirty-three individuals.

 

     Pankaj Bhanot is currently the Interim Director of the Department of Human Services, one of the largest state departments that provides timely, efficient and effective programs, services and benefits to empower those who are the most vulnerable in our State to expand their capacity for self-sufficiency, self-determination, independence, healthy choices, quality of life, and personal dignity.  Previously, Mr. Bhanot served as Deputy Director of the Department of Human Services where he managed day-to-day operations of the Department and provided supervisory and management support to the divisions, staff offices, and attached agencies.  Prior to that, he served as the Division Administrator for the Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division of the Department of Human Services, providing leadership for the State's self-sufficiency and economic assistance programs.  Mr. Bhanot earned a Master of Laws from Cornell Law School and a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Delhi.

 

     Your Committee believes that the nominee, with over seventeen years of experience in various leadership positions in the Department of Human Services, possesses the qualifications to serve as Director of Human Services and lead the Department in implementing its mission.  More particularly, his collaborative approach and commitment to serve are indicative of the type of leadership that is needed at the Department of Human Services at this time, as Hawaii is facing myriad statewide challenges, such as homelessness, food and medical assistance, and kupuna and youth welfare.  Testifiers commented on Mr. Bhanot's dedication to serving the State and its residents and his professionalism and expertise in his various leadership roles.

 

     Your Committee notes from the nominee's personal statement that his vision for the Department of Human Services is to continue to prioritize the prevention of child abuse and neglect; adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation; domestic violence; and sex and human trafficking.  As major changes in demographics, policy, and technology are driving a surge of new service demands, Mr. Bhanot believes in thinking very differently and positioning the Department to be in the ideal position to serve the ever-changing and dynamic clientele.  Mr. Bhanot looks forward to continuing to integrate ‘Ohana Nui, a multigenerational framework that invests early and concurrently in children and families.  Furthermore, Mr. Bhanot hopes that reengineering the Department of Human Services' business processes and developing the Department's enterprise system will assist in supporting ‘Ohana Nui to serve residents across programs and divisions with an integrated eligibility and case management application to connect residents quickly to available resources.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair