STAND. COM. REP. NO.1362

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 1113

H.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1113, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to enable the Department of Human Services (DHS) to better administer its assistance programs by clarifying that:

(1) The requirement that DHS file an annual update of its liens with the Bureau of Conveyances (Bureau) is an internal departmental accounting measure intended to track DHS expenditures, and is not intended to burden the Bureau by recording the same lien against the same property year after year;

(2) DHS may initiate probate proceedings to enforce a lien against the estate of a recipient; and

(3) Recording and tracking procedures may apply to both types of DHS liens, specifically real estate liens on the interest of:

(a) A person applying for or receiving DHS assistance; and

(b) A medical assistance recipient who is an inpatient at a medical institution.

In addition, this bill:

(1) Appropriates funds for respite care services; and

(2) Creates a welfare safety net program called "Keeping Hope Alive."

The National Association of Social Workers submitted testimony in support of this bill. The Department of Human Services and an individual submitted comments on this bill.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1113, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

DWIGHT Y. TAKAMINE, Chair