STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2084-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 102

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 102, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO UPDATE ITS CHILD WELFARE SERVICES BRANCH ASSESSMENT STANDARD PURSUANT TO HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 165, REGULAR SESSION OF HAWAII 2010,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Office of the Auditor update its Child Welfare Services Branch assessment standard pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution No. 165, Regular Session of 2010.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Office of the Auditor.

Your Committee finds that the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department of Human Services is responsible for protecting the well-being of children in Hawaii, including children who are wards of the State and children who have allegedly been neglected or abused. However, concerns have been raised regarding the State's performance in meeting certain safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes for children involved in the child welfare system.

Your Committee further finds that this measure, as introduced, requests the Office of the Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Child Welfare Service Branch of the Department of Human Services. Your Committee further finds that a performance audit by the Office of the Auditor may be able to assist the Child Welfare Services Branch evaluate improvements since the last periodic federal review of the Branch and improve the recruitment and retention of its staff.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Reverting to the contents of this measure as introduced; and

(2) Amending its title to reflect its amended purpose.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 102, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 102, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair