Committee passes SB 2861 to direct a family-resilience plan, clarifying the Office of Wellness’s advisory role

The committee adopted SB 2861 SD2 with amendments clarifying the Office of Wellness and Resilience’s role as planner and advisor rather than implementer, and reaffirming collaboration with the Department of Human Services.

Naomi Liko of the Office of Wellness and Resilience told the committee the office stands on its testimony and submitted amendment requests “to clarify our office's role in planning and in advisory role capacity” and to recognize DHS as a key collaboration partner. Committee members asked DHS whether the bill would duplicate the existing Ka Ohana program; DHS asked for time to consult internal divisions and provide specific language to avoid redundancy.

Chair language adopted an amendment expanding the focus from solely children exiting foster care to “other at-risk children as determined by the plan,” and the Chair noted the preferred effective date as upon approval. The committee adopted technical amendments for clarity and passed the bill with amendments.

The record shows the committee intends to note in its committee report that implementation is to be collaborative, that the Office of Wellness will not serve as an implementing agency, and that the bill’s preferred effective date is upon approval.