STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3767

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2712

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2712, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AUTISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to increase funding for the Department of Human Services' med-QUEST Division reimbursement for applied behavioral analysis services.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from ABC Group Hawaii, BAYADA, Behavior Analysis No Ka Oi, BTSH, Experiad LLC, the Council of Autism Service Providers, Easterseals Hawaii, Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, Hawaii Psychological Association, Kuhn Behavioral Consulting, Malama Pono Autism Centers, Mau Loa Learning LLC, Pakolea Support Services, Positive Behavior Supports Corporation, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the appropriation and increased med-QUEST reimbursement rate for behavioral analysis services in this measure will help to ensure that individuals with autism and their families have access to the best possible care and support.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

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 H.B. No. 2712, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2712, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair