STAND. COM. REP. 3138

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.B. No. 2022

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2022, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify eligibility requirements for individuals with disabilities who receive general assistance.

Presently, a general assistance applicant is required to apply for assistance under either a physical or mental disability. The law makes no provisions for consideration of both physical and mental disabilities. Thus, an applicant with both a physical and mental disability, will only be granted assistance if the physical or mental disability alone meets the criteria for disability.

This bill would:

(1) Allow an individual who is unable to engage in any substantial gainful employment due to a physical and mental disability to be eligible for general assistance;

(2) Require the Department of Human Services to notify an applicant of free legal services and provide the applicant ten days to obtain additional medical evidence before a claim is denied;

(3) Permit time extensions for denied claims; and

(4) Require the Department to provide the applicant with a complete and legible copy of the applicant's recommended treatment, if the claim is approved.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2022, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair