STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BENEFIT, EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to Sections 91-3 and 92-41, Hawaii Revised Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services will hold a public hearing to consider the repeal of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Chapter 17-798.2, Child Care Services, and the adoption of proposed new rule chapters for the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division for the purpose of conforming to federal and state statutes. A brief description of the proposed changes is listed below:
REPEAL OF CHAPTER 17-798.2, CHILD CARE SERVICES
Chapter 17-798.2, Hawaii Administrative Rules, entitled "Child Care Services" is proposed to be repealed.
CHAPTER 17-798.3, CHILD CARE PAYMENTS
The proposed chapter 17-798.3, Child Care Payments, establishes the rules governing the administration and implementation of the Child Care and Development Block Grant as authorized under 42 U.S.C. §9858 and 42 U.S.C. §618.
The proposed chapter 17-798.3 describes the application process, target population, eligibility criteria and determination, payment rates and method of calculation, program participation requirements, health and safety requirements for exempt child care providers to be authorized to care for children whose families receive child care payments, required notifications by the Department, and applicants/participants rights to appeal.
CHAPTER 17-800, REQUIREMENTS FOR LISTING OF EXEMPT CENTER-BASED PROVIDERS
The proposed chapter 17-800, requirements For Listing Of Exempt Center-Based Providers, establishes the rules governing the administration and implementation of the Child Care and Development Block Grant as authorized under 42 U.S.C. §9858 and 42 U.S.C. §618.
The proposed 17-800 describes the application, inspection, and authorization for listing process, general requirements and health and safety requirements for exempt center-based providers, required notifications by the Department, and exempt center-based providers right to appeal.
CHAPTER 17-801, BACKGROUND CHECKS
The proposed chapter 17-801, Background Checks, establishes the rules governing the administration and implementation of the Child Care and Development Block Grant as authorized under 42 U.S.C. §9858 and 42 U.S.C. §618. This section includes the requirements to conduct background checks to determine a person’s ability or suitability to operate, be employed, work in, or live in a child care facility or exempt child care facility and lists disqualifying offenses. The proposed chapter 17-801 also includes the notification process when an individual is determined not suitable and the individual’s rights to appeal the Department’s determination.
A public hearing will be held at the following date, time and place:
Friday, November 6, 2020, 9:00 a.m. This will be a virtual event using Skype.
Please go to https://meet.lync.com/hawaiioimt-dhs/dbalansag/6BN758HV
Skype Meeting Toll Number: 1-808-829-4853
Conference ID: 156730537
All interested persons are invited to attend the hearing to state their views relative to the proposed rules either orally or in writing. Should written testimony be presented, one (1) copy shall be made available to the presiding officer within seven (7) days before the hearing to:
Department of Human Services
Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division
1010 Richards Street, Suite 512
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
If oral testimony will be provided during the online meeting via phone or Skype, you must register in advance by 4:30 pm Thursday, November 5, 2020, by emailing your name, phone number, and subject matter to bessd.ccpo@dhs.hawaii.gov.
If written testimony would be provided without attending the public hearing, written testimony must be received by 4:30 pm on November 6, 2020.
A copy of the proposed rules will be mailed at NO COST to any interested person requesting a copy by writing to:
Department of Human Services
Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division
1010 Richards Street, Suite 512
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
or by calling (808) 586-7188 during regular business days and hours.
Proposed rules are available on the internet at http://humanservices.hawaii.gov/admin-rules-/proposed-rules/
Special accommodations (i.e., Sign Language, large print, and taped materials) can be made, if requested at least five (5) business days before the scheduled public hearing. For residents on Oahu call 586-5735 to make the request. Neighbor island residents needing special accommodations should contact the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Section Administration office on the respective islands with their requests:
East Hawaii Section Administrator
1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 111
Hilo, HI phone: 981-7288;
West Hawaii Section Administrator
75-5722 Hanama Place Rm 1105
Kailua-Kona, HI phone: 327-4765;
Kauai Section Administrator
Former Lihue Courthouse Building
3059 Umi Street, Room BSMT 20
Lihue, HI phone: 241-3663;
Maui Section Administrator
1955 Main Street, Suite 325
Wailuku, HI phone: 243-5875;
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
CATHY BETTS, DIRECTOR
(SA1297732 10/5/20)
