STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2464

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3115

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 Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 3115 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RELATIVE RESOURCE CAREGIVERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify when a relative seeking to be a resource caregiver for a child is entitled to an administrative appeal for denial of a foster home license.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services and Department of the Attorney General.

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

Your Committee finds that while there may be more than one suitable placement for a child when multiple relatives seek to be a resource caregiver, the Department of Human Services' administrative rules only allow for the issuance of one license to a suitable applicant. Applicants who meet the licensing standards, but are not selected for placement, often request an administrative hearing for review of the placement. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Human Services dismisses these requests for administrative review due to a lack of authority to decide on this placement issue, leading to an inefficient use of limited administrative resources and leaving applicants feeling frustrated and distrustful of the Department and court processes. This measure clarifies the appropriate circumstances under which an administrative appeal for the denial of a foster home license may be utilized by a child's relative to prevent unnecessary frustration and use of resources for both the applicants and the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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. 3115, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3115, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

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

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair