STAND. COM. REP. NO. 612

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1296

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1296 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Early Intervention Services Working group to study and recommend ways to assist and support the State's deaf and hard of hearing children.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

Your Committee finds that research shows that early intervention has a very positive impact on children's academic performance. This measure establishes the Early Intervention Services Working Group, which will assist the Department of Health's Early Intervention Section identify strategies and best practices that will support young deaf and hard of hearing children develop the language and communication skills necessary for learning in school.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1296, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1296, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Homelessness,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair