STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1258

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 244

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

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 H.B. No. 244, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide that individuals who have not received an eligibility decision on their application for public assistance within the time specified in administrative rules are presumptively eligible until an eligibility decision is made.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, National Association of Social Workers, a State Representative, and five individuals. Testimony in opposition to this measure was received from the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Your Committee finds that individuals who have applied for public assistance have to wait longer than the required time specified under the administrative rules to receive their public assistance or welfare benefits. The DHS is required to meet the deadlines that it sets for making a decision for public assistance.

Individuals applying for public assistance are already facing difficulties in meeting their basic necessities. A wait of thirty to forty-five days for a decision is too long for many of these individuals. While emergency benefits are available, these benefits are only available for pregnant women for food stamps and medical assistance.

Presumptive eligibility requires issuance of benefits to an applicant before eligibility has been determined. Benefits paid to those who are provided presumptive coverage will assist people in dire circumstances while they await the DHS's determination.

Your Committee has amended this measure to provide the individual with ten calendar days, and the option to request extensions of time, to submit additional medical evidence.

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 H.B. No. 244, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 244, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, 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