STAND. COM. REP. NO. 510

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 313

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 313 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Reduce the number of members on the State Rehabilitation Council from twenty-one to fifteen;

(2) Exempt from term limits the member of the State Rehabilitation Council that represents the client assistance program; and

(3) Authorize the State Rehabilitation Council to establish a quorum and conduct business without regard to vacancies.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Rehabilitation Council, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, and Hawaii Disability Rights Center.

Your Committee finds that section 105 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires consumers, advocates, and other representatives of individuals with disabilities to participate in the administration and oversight of the State's Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Presently, the State Rehabilitation Council fulfills this mandate and is required for vocational rehabilitation programs to be eligible for and maintain federal vocational rehabilitation funding. Additionally, the State Rehabilitation Council continues to experience challenges with meeting quorum requirements for a variety of reasons, including numerous vacancies and member absences. This measure reduces the number of members on the State Rehabilitation Council from twenty-one to fifteen to comply with federal requirements while also adjusting quorum requirements to continue business to support Hawaii's vocational rehabilitation needs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 313 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair