STAND. COM. REP. NO. 12

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 27

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 27 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE KAPIOLANI CHILD AT-RISK EVALUATION PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Kapiolani C.A.R.E. program to continue offering forensic health care services to children who are victims or suspected victims of abuse and neglect.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from the Good Beginnings Alliance, Hawaii Family Support Institute, Hawaii Foster Parent Association, Kapiolani Child At-Risk Evaluation (C.A.R.E.) Program and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that over two thousand five hundred children are abused and neglected each year in Hawaii. The Kapiolani C.A.R.E. program provides the sole source of medical expertise in the field of physical abuse on Oahu, and it is the only medical program available to assist child-abuse related health problems. C.A.R.E. offers pre-placement medical evaluations for children entering foster care, and forensic medical evaluations for children who are being investigated for allegations of abuse and neglect. The program also provides information to Child Welfare Services for the purposes of providing evidence in cases of abuse and neglect and lessening the risk of erroneous accusations. In the interests of keiki care, this program provides comprehensive, coordinated, and compassionate forensic care to children who are suspected victims of abuse and neglect.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 27 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair