STAND. COM. REP. NO. 312

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 129

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 129 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require community residential alternatives for persons with developmental disabilities or mental retardation to be in a setting of the person's choice if the person or the person's family and friends determine that the person can be sustained with supports, and the supports are attached to the person.

The Department of Human Services, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Kona Krafts, and two individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Health submitted comments.

Your Committees find that this measure was recommended by the Residential Settings Task Force after it was asked to identify issues and solutions regarding individuals with developmental disabilities and their choice of residential settings. This measure acknowledges a person's right to determine where the person wants to live and with who as long as supports are provided and those supports follow that person in the community. It directs the department to provide residential alternatives for these individuals and gives the individuals greater choice and participation in the process.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 129 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services,

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SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair