STAND. COM. REP. NO. 43-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1664

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1664 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to statutorily authorize the Department of Human Services to establish and operate the Supporting Employment Empowerment Hawaii Work Program to transition public assistance recipients to the workforce.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that the Supporting Employment Empowerment Hawaii Work Program (SEE Program) was established in 2006 by the Department of Human Services through administrative rules. The SEE Program serves as a support service for First-To-Work program participants and assists program participants by providing employment opportunities with eligible employers. Your Committee notes that the SEE Program is also a valuable tool for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families participants to obtain employment and progress through self-sufficiency.

After careful consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing language that would have statutorily established the SEE Program within the Department of Human Services;

(2) Requiring the Department of Human Services to convene a study group to examine the efficiencies and effectiveness, including program outcomes, of the Department's existing SEE Program and submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2021;

(3) Changing its effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee requests the Department of Human Services to inform your Committee of any other existing Department of Human Services welfare-to-work programs, including the program administrative rules.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1664, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1664, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Labor & Public Employment.

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

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair