STAND. COM. REP. NO. 261

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 170

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 170 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ZERO TO THREE COURT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a Zero to Three Court Program Coordinator position in the Third Circuit;

(2) Expand the Zero to Three Court to the Third Circuit; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that the period between birth and three years of age is critical to the healthy development of a child. Your Committee further finds that instability and trauma in the life of a child during the early formative period can interrupt healthy patterns of growth and development, resulting in increased risk for numerous behavioral and developmental problems that can detrimentally impact the child's future. Your Committee additionally finds that the Zero to Three Court has been established by the Judiciary to meet the needs of very young children whose parents are involved in Family Court. This measure provides funds to expand the Zero to Three Court Program into the Third Circuit so that the children in the County of Hawaii may live in healthy and safe environments.

Your Committee has amended this measure by replacing the appropriation amount of $75,588 with a blank appropriation amount.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 170, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 170, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair