STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3577

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 140

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.R. No. 140 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent 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 development disabilities.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Education; Department of Human Services; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Autism Support and Disabilities Center, Inc.; AlohaCare; ʻApoākea Native Hawaiian Innovation Institute; and three individuals.

Your Committees find that the State has committed to improving the quality of life of individuals experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities, many of whom are Native Hawaiian. Your Committees further find that Native Hawaiians also disproportionately face underdiagnosis, which is indicative of systemic disparities and increased vulnerabilities. Traditional Native Hawaiian family-based communal structures established systems of effective care for individuals of all ages, including the most vulnerable members of society. Your Committees believe that providing culturally appropriate resources, services, and programs for Native Hawaiian individuals and families experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities would ensure that services reflect their needs and cultural realities.

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 140, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 140, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair