STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1896-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.C.R. No. 166

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 166, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING THE STATE'S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE RESOURCES, SERVICES, AND PROGRAMS FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to reaffirm the State's commitment to providing culturally appropriate resources, services, and programs for Native Hawaiian individuals and families experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Department of Human Services; Department of Health; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; and AlohaCare.

Your Committee finds that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and care providers face unique challenges and often require specialized resources and support. Your Committee further finds that Native Hawaiians are overrepresented among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, highlighting the systemic disparities and increased vulnerabilities of this population. To ensure that the needs of the State's more vulnerable members are met, it is important to provide culturally appropriate resources, services, and programs that affirm the dignity and worth of Native Hawaiian individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing who is being urged to commit to provide these services, programs, and resources from the Governor and Legislature to pertinent state agencies;

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 166, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 166, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair