STAND. COM. REP. NO.263

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.B. No. 100

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 100 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AUTISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to:

(1) Establish the Hawaii Autism Center (Center) of Excellence within the University of Hawaii School of Medicine(School of Medicine); and

(2) Make an appropriation to establish the Center.

The School of Medicine and Nami Oahu: Oahu's Voice on Mental Illness supported this bill. The Department of Education supported the bill but deferred funding priorities to the University of Hawaii. The Department of Health supported the intent of this bill.

Your Committee recognizes that autism is a highly complex neuro-biological disorder and that affected persons require focused support and services to achieve effective remediation of the disorder. No multidisciplinary center for autism exists in Hawaii, and such a center would provide a means for continuing research, training, and coordination of services for persons suffering from autism. This Center would help families deal with the stress of caring for loved ones with this complex syndrome, and could make the University of Hawaii a leader in the research and treatment of autism.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 100 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ROY TAKUMI, Chair