STAND. COM. REP. NO.185-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 1869

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1869 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to assist children who are victims of child abuse or neglect by:

(1) Requiring medical consultation services in child abuse or neglect cases;

(2) Requiring that the Department of Human Services (DHS) determine whether a face-to-face medical examination is necessary for cases transmitted from Child Protective Services (CPS); and

(3) Appropriating funds for a qualified medical facility to provide direct medical consultation to CPS for reported child abuse or neglect cases.

Kapiolani Child Protection Center submitted testimony in support of this measure. DHS and the Hawaii Nurses Association supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committees find that child abuse and neglect are rising problems nationwide and in Hawaii. Many abused children do not get the treatment that they require. This measure requires that evaluations be conducted to determine whether the child needs further treatment.

Your Committees have amended this bill by:

(1) Clarifying that evaluations may not be limited to cases involving certain injuries or circumstances;

(2) Clarifying that if a parent does not consent to a medical examination, DHS can only authorize medical examinations, if DHS assumes placement responsibility of the child through:

(a) A valid voluntary foster custody agreement;

(b) Police protective custody; or

(c) A court order;

(3) Clarifying the ages of children for certain reported injuries or neglect;

(4) Deleting the provision that certified pediatric nurse practitioners be under the supervision of a pediatrician; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1869, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1869, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

 

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

 

____________________________

MICHAEL P. KAHIKINA, Chair

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair