STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1720

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 90

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.R. No. 90 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES COUNCIL TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO COORDINATE ALL SERVICES PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaii Developmental Disabilities Council to convene a working group to coordinate all services provided to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Workforce Development Council. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds several state departments are responsible for providing various support and services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, lack of coordination between these departments regarding services and planning activities results in gaps in the spectrum of needed services, duplication of services, lack of clarity in responsibility for services, and poorly articulated inter-agency programs, which reduces the quality of programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Your Committee further finds that better coordination between the departments and community groups providing support and services will improve service delivery and quality. Your Committee notes that an organizing body outside of the departments responsible for support and services is essential to coordinate between the various departments and community groups and the Hawaii Developmental Disabilities Council is well equipped to step into that role.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the scope of the working group is limited and does not include all services provided to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families;

(2) Amending the membership of the working group to include certain impacted divisions, organizations, and individuals;

(3) Requiring the working group, rather than the Hawaii Developmental Disabilities Council, to provide recommendations to the impacted divisions and making an associated conforming amendment;

(4) Clarifying that the working group is requested to provide recommendations on the service planning process and formats for eligible individuals;

(5) Updating the title to reflect its amended purpose; and

(6) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 90, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 90, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair