STAND. COM. REP. NO. 229

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.B. No. 272
                                     H.D. 1




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health, to
which was referred H.B. No. 272 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND
     FAMILIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure better coordination of
services for children and families by establishing a Partnership
Planning Team to plan the implementation of a new Department of
Children, Youth, and Families (Department).

     The Hawaii Youths Services Network submitted testimony in
support of this measure.  The Center on the Family submitted
testimony in support of the intent of this measure.  Although the
Department of Health (DOH) had strong reservations about the
feasibility of creating this new Department and concerns over the
cost implications, DOH supported the intent of this bill citing
the need to improve the organization and coordination of services
to children and families.  The Office of Youth Services submitted
comments.

     Your Committees find that a new Department of Children,
Youth, and Families would reduce the fragmentation that currently
exists when policies and programs that affect the lives of
children and families reside in many government agencies, some of
which have missions that focus on other aspects of society.  This
measure will ensure that children and families will receive the
priority and attention they deserve.

 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 229
                                 Page 2

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring the Partnership Planning Team to consider
          establishing an office of Early Childhood Education and
          Care within the new Department;

     (2)  Transferring the Office of Community Services to the
          new Office;

     (3)  Including a representative of the Good Beginnings
          Alliance on the Partnership Planning Team; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for
          purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your
Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health that are
attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the
intent and purpose of H.B. No. 272, as amended herein, and
recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto
as H.B. No. 272, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on
Education.

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

                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
______________________________     ______________________________
ALEXANDER SANTIAGO, Chair          DENNIS ARAKAKI, Chair