STAND. COM. REP. NO. 45

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 778

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 778 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, AND FOR SCHOOL-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation for services to children with autism spectrum disorder and school-based behavioral health services.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education, Special Education Advisory Council, Hawaii Families as Allies, the Community Children's Council, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that the costs and number of students requiring services for autism spectrum disorder has increased since the program responsibility and funding was transferred to the Department of Education from the Department of Health. The number of students identified with the disorder has risen sixty-three per cent in four years. Unfortunately, the funding amount has remained unchanged. Similarly, the number of students requiring school-based behavioral health services has also increased without additional funding. The emergency appropriation in this measure will ensure that these much needed services will continue.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 778 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 Education and Military Affairs,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair