STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1079

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 693

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

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 H.B. No. 693, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROGRAMS FOR HIGH RISK YOUTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services for the operational costs of an organization providing prevention, intervention, and group and individual counseling for high risk youth.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Children's Action Network, Plumbers and Fitters Local 675, Adult Friends for Youth, and ten individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Youth Services and Hawaii Youth Services Network.

     Your Committee finds that youth violence is a growing concern in the State, particularly violence and juvenile delinquency associated with gang membership.  In addition, homicide, suicide, aggravated assaults, and traffic accidents due to underage alcohol consumption by youth represent large costs for the State.  Allocating resources to a multi-pronged approach through programs that have the expertise and experience to reach out and establish relationships with youth in school-centered and neighborhood-centered environments will help promote education, self-esteem, individual growth and development, leadership, and responsibility.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 693, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 693, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair