STAND. COM. REP. NO. 295

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 125

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Human Services and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 125 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Establish an employment training and placement program for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and

 

     (2)  Require the Department of Human Services to seek a Medicaid waiver to fund the program.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Lanakila Pacific, The Arc of Hilo, and one individual.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

 

     Your Committees find that there are numerous barriers to employment for persons with developmental disabilities.  Some people incorrectly assume that persons with developmental disabilities are not capable or employable.  Your Committees recognize the ability of all persons to benefit from employment.

 

     Your Committees also find that the matching federal funding provided in this measure would provide much needed training and employment opportunities for those who are transitioning from formal education and waiver programs.  This program would be a positive step toward improving the quality of life for these citizens who wish to be contributing members of their communities.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Human Services to work in conjunction with the Department of Education and the Department of Health in establishing the employment and placement program for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 125, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 125, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair