STAND. COM. REP. NO. 892

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 894

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 894, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the provision of trauma-informed services.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Requires the trauma-informed care task force to serve as an advisory board to the Office of Wellness and Resilience;

(2) Extends to June 30, 2025, the dissolution date of the task force; and

(3) Effective July 1, 2025:

(A) Transfers the Office of Wellness and Resilience (which is temporarily established within the Office of the Governor) to the Department of Human Services;

(B) Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to make certain annual reports to the Legislature; and

(C) Establishes within the Office of Wellness and Resilience a permanent Wellness and Resilience Advisory Board, to make and develop certain recommendations relating to trauma-informed care.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Department of Human Services, Executive Office on Early Learning, Office of Wellness and Resilience, State Council on Mental Health, HawaiiKidsCAN, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee recognizes the need for trauma-informed and responsive practices to help build wellness and resilience. Your Committee believes that this measure will solidify the State's commitment to provide comprehensive, coordinated, culturally sensitive services to survivors of trauma and help children and families avoid adverse childhood experiences.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Replacing certain references to an interagency task force with references to the trauma-informed care task force or the wellness and resiliency advisory board;

(2) Inserting language to facilitate the transfer of certain powers and duties from the Department of Human Services to the Office of Wellness and Resilience; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 894, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 894, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair