Kukui Connection: Adrianna Ramelli

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In observance of this designation, Rep. Lee welcomes Adrianna Ramelli, Executive Director of the Sex Abuse Treatment Center of Hawaii, on the next episode of Kukui Connection.

In the episode, Ms. Ramelli provides some background on the treatment center, gives a rundown of the services they offer, and talks about what constitutes sex abuse. Started in 1976, the Sex Abuse Treatment Center of Hawaii offers 24/7 crisis care, medical services, counseling, legal support, a 24-hour hotline, and provides a host of prevention tools and information on their website.

Rep. Lee and Ms. Ramelli end the episode on a lighter note, discussing Adrianna's unique background and interesting personal story.

The episode can be seen on Olelo Channel 54 on the following dates and times:

Friday, May 4 at 8:30pm

Sunday, May 6 at 4:00pm

Sunday, May 13 at 4:00pm

WLC Easter Basket Drive

This afternoon, the Women's Legislative Caucus held its annual Easter Basket drive at the Capitol. Headed by Rep. Marilyn Lee, the program has been running for more than a decade. This year, the WLC teamed up with the Institute for Human Services to collect "Welcome Home Baskets" to benefit homeless shelter clients.

More than 100 colorful baskets were donated by individuals from throughout the community. The baskets contained basic household items including dishes, pots & pans, utensils, and toiletries.

Reps. Della Au Bellati, Corinne Ching, Heather Giugni, Chris Lee, Silvia Luke, Dee Morikawa, Barbara Marumoto, Mark "the Easter Bunny" Takai, Cynthia Thielen, and Sen. Rosalyn Baker were instrumental to the success of the drive.

Women's Legislative Caucus Easter Basket Drive

Each year the Women's Legislative Caucus donates Easter Baskets of essential items for clients of the Institute for Human Services. Last year’s theme, “Welcome Home Easter Baskets," which helped individuals start off on the right foot when moving from being homeless to having a permanent home, was so successful that IHS wants to continue the theme for this year's Easter Basket drive.


With your help the WLC collected and donated more than 150 Easter Baskets to The Institute for Human Services last year. We appreciate your continued support of this worthy cause.

Women's Caucus Unveils its 2012 Legislative Package

Last Thursday afternoon, the Women's Legislative Caucus was joined by constituents, community organizers, military representatives, and a special guest to announce its legislative package for the session. This year's legislation is dedicated to women veterans and a disabled female veteran, Chelsea Ann K. E. Fernandez, attended the press conference, where she was recognized for her service. 

Chelsea Ann K. E. Fernandez 

Supporting women veterans begins with ensuring women can serve our nation proudly, in an environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, but it does not stop there. Female veterans need help transitioning into the civilian workforce when they return home, medical coverage for service-related injuries, and to be made aware of what benefits are available. 

In addition to championing female veterans, this year's package proposes legislation dealing with issues that affect all women in Hawai'i. While we may be ahead of the rest of the nation when it comes to women's rights, we are certainly not where we need to be. Women represent 34% of our legislature, which is well above the national average of 23%, but still falls woefully short of reflecting the fact that half of our population is female.

Rep. Marilyn Lee served as the master of ceremonies, with Rep. Cindy Evans, Rep. Linda Ichiyama, and Rep. Cynthia Thielen sharing personal stories and explaining the proposed legislation. The comprehensive legislative package, which includes bills ranging from funding for cervical and breast cancer screenings to prohibiting medical personnel from performing a pelvic examination on an anesthetized or unconscious patient (yes, it's currently allowed), can be viewed in its entirety at the Capitol website. 

As progressive as the state may be when it comes to women's rights, the war is far from over. The Women's Caucus press conference allowed us to look at how far we have come, yet still make us aware of how much work is left to be done in the name of equality for all of the people of Hawai'i, regardless of gender. 

Women's Legislative Caucus 2012 Legislative Package

Women's Caucus Package News Release

Women's Legislative Caucus Bills a Bright Spot in 2011 Session

By Rep. Marilyn Lee.

The following was published by Honolulu Civil Beat on June 14, 2011

I felt a sense of pride reading a recent letter to the editor in a Honolulu newspaper from Marci A. Hamilton of the Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York.

She wrote, “For the sake of Hawaii’s children, Governor Neil Abercrombie should sign into law Senate Bill 217, which opens the court house door for victims of childhood sexual abuse who have been excluded by unfairly short statutes of limitations.”

Yes, SB 217 is just one of the bills passed this year as part of the legislative package of the Women’s Legislative Caucus that will make a significant difference in our state. Yes, Hawaii is again leading the way.

Other bills passed as part of the package are SB 229, which will protect the rights of victims of domestic violence related to employment status. Introduced over and over for several years, the bill finally passed with certain protections for employers included.

Another victory is the passage of SB 219 which prohibits the shackling or restraint of incarcerated women in labor or who are pregnant. Endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this bill puts us in the company of a very few progressive states which have passed such humane measures.

The concept of House bill 968 is another measure, though not the exact bill in our package, that assists victims by plugging up a loophole in our TRO procedures, protecting victims of domestic violence from a lapse in protection.

Two resolutions complete the successes: HR9 “RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO REACH OUT TO HAWAII WOMEN AND ENGAGE THEM IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS” and HCR 4 “DECLARING THE MONTH OF MAY AS LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH IN HAWAII” passed one or both houses.

Still, we are disappointed that a bill which would protect and assist the victims of the violent crime of rape sits in committee. The bill which would require all Hawaii hospitals to provide rape victims with information and emergency contraception has been introduced yearly for a decade without success.

In addition, we are saddened we were not able to obtain an appropriation to continue the work of the Path Clinic which assists addicted mothers who are pregnant to recover and deliver healthy babies.

We won’t give up. Many times our issues are relegated to the end of calendar or not considered, however, we are thankful to the committee chairs and legislators who have been supportive, never faltered, and made a difference for women and children in Hawaii.

Home in a basket

Starting this Friday, the Women's Legislative Caucus will be collecting Easter baskets filled with household items for clients of the Institute of Human Services. Each year, a call is put out for everyday essential items that needy families may need when they enter the homeless shelter. Recommended items for the "Welcome Home Easter Baskets" are laundry soap, utensils, pots and pans, dishes, non-perishable food items, toiletries, towels, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning products, hangers, and small appliances. Items can be dropped of in Rep. Marilyn Lee's office (Rm 434) and Sen. Rosalyn Baker's office (Rm 220) until Tuesday, April 19. IHS will pick up the baskets at 2 p.m. in the turnaround of the underground Capitol garage.

Here’s a photo of two of Rep. Jerry Chang’s Easter bunnies assembling Easter Baskets of essential items for clients of the Institute for Human Service (IHS).

Women's Caucus Press Conference Unveiling 2011 Legislation

Women's Legislative Caucus Honors Dr. Tricia Wright

Rep. Marilyn Lee and Dr. Tricia Wright

Yesterday, the Women's Legislative Caucus unveiled its 2011 legislative package which is dedicated to Dr. Tricia Wright, founder of the PATH Clinic. In addition to her work at PATH, Dr. Wright is an Assistant Professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine.

The Perinatal Addiction Treatment of Hawaii Clinic, known as the PATH Clinic, provides prenatal delivery and postpartum care to women with past or present substance abuse. Services include obstetric and gynecological care, case management, social services referral, educational classes, activities, transportation assistance and childcare. It is located in Kaimuki.

You may find a full list of the Women's Legislative Caucus bills here.

Women's Legislative Caucus to Honor Donnis Thompson

Donnis Thompson

Photo: Honolulu Star Bulletin Archives

WHAT: The Hawaii Women’s Legislative Caucus will hold a press conference to announce their 2010 legislative package of bills. The package represents the priorities of the Women’s Legislative Caucus this session. In addition, special guest Marilyn Moniz-Kaho‘ohanohano, University of Hawaii Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, will be present to say a few words about the late Dr. Donnis Thompson, to whom the package is dedicated. Thompson was a pioneer of wahine sports in Hawaii and served as the University’s first women’s athletic director. She passed away in February 2009.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
11:00 a.m. to 12 noon

WHERE: Hawaii State Capitol – Room 423

Women’s Legislative Caucus Members:

State Senators: Rosalyn Baker, Suzanne Chun Oakland, Carol Fukunaga, Colleen Hanabusa, Michelle Kidani, Donna Mercado Kim, Jill Tokuda.

State Representatives: Karen Awana, Della Au Belatti, Lyla Berg, Rida Cabanilla, Mele Carroll, Corinne Ching, Cindy Evans, Lynn Finnegan, Faye Hanohano, Sharon Har, Marilyn Lee, Sylvia Luke, Barbara Marumoto, Hermina Morita, Kymberly Pine, Maile Shimabukuro, Cynthia Thielen, Jessica Wooley.

It takes 2... 4 cleavage

Members of the Women's Legislative Caucus Team, lead by Rep. Marilyn Lee, raised $1065 for the American Cancer Society's inaugural "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk," held on October 3.

I was one of those people who participated in the 5-mile walk from Richardson Field, near the Aloha Stadium, to Ford Island and back. Some ambitious participants ran the whole thing. By the time we got to the middle of the Ford Island Bridge a sweaty male runner was already on his way back. Needless to say, while we finished in 2 hours, he was done in less than 30 minutes.

Earlier that morning, I was amazed by the swarms of teams clad in pink crossing the street to the registration tent on Richardson Field from the Aloha Stadium parking lot. There were more than 3,000 people -- male, female, young and old -- ready to make strides against breast cancer. Leave it to breasts to make that many people happy to be up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning doing jazzercise and aerobics before a 5-mile walk.

My favorite team name had to be this one:

I spotted it towards the end of the walk on the backs of two young high school girls. I just had to get a shot from my cell phone.

Other playful team names included "I Love BOOBS" and "Save the TaTas." Some walkers were even dressed up in knee-high, neon-pink socks, stylish pink wigs, and funky froufrou shorts. I didn't get the dress code memo this year, but, now that I'm aware, it is definitely on for next year's walk!

In addition to the Women's Legislative Caucus Team, several State Representatives and Senators participated with their respective groups. I bumped into Reps Tom Brower and John Mizuno during the walk; they joined their community teams for the event. Senators Rosalyn Baker, Brickwood Galuteria, Michelle Kidani and Will Espero walked with the Hawaii State Senate Team.

The American Cancer Society hosted the event to increase awareness, support survivors of breast cancer and to raise money for breast cancer research. This disease kills approximately 40,000 women annually in the United States alone. More than 400,000 die each year worldwide.

The Hawaii event was able to raise $150,000 to help fight breast cancer.

Everyone who was there or donated money to the different teams should be extremely proud of themselves. Let's do it again next year!

Lawmakers and staff give Easter baskets to needy families

Rep. Sharon Har, Kapolei lawmaker, gives one of the ornately decorated baskets of goodies to Kate Bepko, IHS Public Relations and Volunteer Manager

The Women's Legislative Caucus lined up vibrant Easter baskets, containers and even backpacks filled with essential items for needy families at the chamber level turnaround of the Hawaii State Capitol. The items were be picked up by the Institute of Human Services (IHS).

Each year, the caucus holds an Easter Basket Project and puts out a call for Easter baskets or plastic storage containers filled with personal hygiene items, toiletries and non-perishable snacks to benefit clients of IHS. The Easter Basket Project was organized by Rep. Marilyn Lee's office.

Women's Caucus and Governor Lingle

The Women's Caucus of the Hawaii State Legislature took the opportunity of the joint session yesterday to pose for a photo with Governor Linda Lingle.

Back row, left to right: Rep. Mele Carroll, Rep. Faye Hanohano, Rep. Kymberly Pine, Rep. Cindy Evans, Rep. Lynn Finnegan, Sen. Roz Baker, Rep. Rida Cabanilla, Rep. Corinne Ching, Rep. Karen Awana, Sen. Suzanne Chun-Oakland, Rep. Marilyn Lee

Front row, left to right: Sen. Michelle Kidani, Governor Linda Lingle, Rep. Hermina Morita, Rep. Sylvia Luke, Rep. Jessica Wooley, Rep. Sharon Har, Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, Rep. Della Au Belatti, Rep. Barbara Marumoto, Sen. Donna Mercado Kim

Women's Legislative Caucus Package dedicated to Madelyn Payne Dunham

Rep. Marilyn Lee addresses Hawaii Women's Legislative Caucus

The Hawaii Women’s Legislative Caucus unveiled their 2009 legislative package on Thursday, January 29, 2009, dedicated to the late Madelyn Payne Dunham, former Hawaii businesswoman and grandmother of President Barack Obama. Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng, Mrs. Dunham's granddaughter and the President's sister, sent the following:

On the occasion of the dedication of the 2009 Women's Legislative Caucus Package to the late Madelyn Payne Dunham:

A big mahalo to the Hawaii State Women's Legislative Caucus for recognizing our Tutu's life and her contributions to the State of Hawaii.

I am proud that today's legislation is devoted to women's health and welfare. Our grandmother took care of all of us through difficult times, and she did so without complaint. Because of her financial and emotional support, my brother--our President-- was given access to the finest education and a broad range of educative life experiences, all of which have helped to give stronger shape and direction to his enormous talent. He has acknowledged his debt to her.

There are so many women out there who are in need of real recognition; they are doing just as much for their families and many are struggling to maneuver across the many hurdles that confront them in these difficult economic times. May these bills be supported in honor of these women's contributions to the countless keiki in need of their help.


-- Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng
January 29, 2009

Mr. Ah Nee Leong and Rep. Faye Hanohano

The caucus also remembered Ah Quon McElrath, the dedicatee of the 2005 Women’s Legislative Caucus, who passed away on December 9, 2008. Ah Nee Leong, A.Q.'s brother, attended the press conference in her honor.

Theme: Women’s Financial Stability. As our state and our nation face an historic economic crisis, the Women’s Legislative Caucus has selected financial stability as the theme of this year’s package. The crisis may have a greater impact on women than men, as women differ from men in terms of asset ownership and earnings. In addition, many women care for children, an ailing spouse, or aging parents, and this may prevent their active participation in the work force or may force early retirement.

The Legislative Package of Bills and Resolutions:

Health

HB327/SB779 – Relating to Cigarettes. Prohibits sale, distribution, and import of purse packs of cigarettes or cigarette packs containing fewer than 20 cigarettes per pack.

HB328/SB780 – Relating to Cancer. Appropriates funds for cervical and breast cancer screening, education, and outreach.

HB329/SB777 – Relating to Health. Requires the State to reject all Title V federal funding for mandated abstinence-only-until marriage programs.

HB330/SB778 – Relating to Comprehensive Sexuality Education. Requires any recipient of state funding to provide medically accurate sexuality education.

Human Services

HB331/SB784 - Relating to Real Property. Requires that tenants of rental property be given sixty days written notice to vacate when the rental property is sold in foreclosure. Requires that tenants of rental property be notified when foreclosure proceedings have begun on the rental property.

HB332/SB782 – Relating to Employment Security. Establishes eligibility for unemployment insurance.

HB333/SB783 – Relating to Taxation. Creates a state earned income tax credit funded initially with TANF funds. Restricts the interest charged by tax preparers to clients who claim the earned income tax credit.

HB334/SB781 – Relating to Community Reintegration. Requires the Department of Public Safety to develop a plan to use current funding resources to improve community-based programs to assist female offenders in transitioning from prison back into the community.


Public Safety

HB335/SB776 – Relating to an Automated Victim Notification System. Establishes a statewide automated victim notification system to provide victims of crime with current information regarding the custody status of the offender in the victim’s case.

HB336/SB785 – Relating to DNA Collection for Arrestees of Violent Crimes. Requires DNA collection from those arrested for violent crimes.


House Resolutions

HCR16 – Addressing “under banking”. Identifying the under banked population, encouraging local action to encourage savings and development of credit and formulation of an inventory of bank services available to low income persons.

HCR15 – Encouraging stakeholders and interested parties to work together to establish paid family leave or similar wage replacement programs to assist family caregivers. The Legislature urges the business community, the labor community, health care advocates, and the general public to work together to develop programs for assistance to family caregivers such as wage replacement and paid family leave.

Dedication to Madelyn Payne Dunham. Mrs. Dunham is not only the grandmother of newly-elected President Barack Obama, but was also a feminist pioneer in the banking industry. She worked her way up the corporate ladder to become the first female vice-president of Bank of Hawaii.

Remembering Ah Quon McElrath. “A.Q.” as she was called by colleagues and friends, was a tireless defender of the underdog. As an integral part of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), she helped unified workers fight for wages and working conditions. She remained active in social, political and human rights issues.

Hawaii Women’s Legislative Caucus Members. Representatives Karen Awana, Della Au Belatti, Lyla Berg, Rida Cabanilla, Mele Carroll, Corinne Ching, Cindy Evans, Lynn Finnegan, Faye Hanohano, Sharon Har, Marilyn Lee, Sylvia Luke, Barbara Marumoto, Hermina Morita, Kymberly Pine, Maile Shimabukuro, Cynthia Thielen, Jessica Wooley. Senators Rosalyn Baker, Suzanne Chun Oakland, Carol Fukunaga, Colleen Hanabusa, Michelle Kidani, Donna Mercado Kim, Jill Tokuda.

Brief History of the Caucus. The Women’s Legislative Caucus was created over twenty years ago, and is comprised of all of the female legislators in both the House and the Senate of the Hawaii State Legislature. Each year, the Caucus meets to create a package of bills relevant to women in the State of Hawaii. In addition to the bills, the Caucus is involved in supporting community organizations, such as the annual Easter Basket drive that benefits the clients of the Institute for Human Services.

Women's Legislative Caucus - Successful Measures

The Women's Legislative Caucus (WLC) announced today that six of the bills introduced in its 2008 legislative package have been approved by the House and Senate. In addition, one concurrent resolution also received House and Senate approval.

"Considering the small percentage of bills that pass compared to the number introduced, I am proud that the Women's Legislative Caucus has accomplished so much this session," said Caucus Co-chair Marilyn Lee. "The bipartisan work of the Caucus has helped us move forward with our goal of improving the lives of women and children. I am glad I could be a part of that effort. The legislation we sponsored, while focused on women and children, will benefit society as a whole."

The WLC's measures that passed the Legislature include:

HB2770 Expands the Bridge to Hope Program by clarifying that participants be in the First-to-Work Program and allowing participants to be enrolled in vocational education programs.

HB2761 Improves the health and welfare of women between pregnancies by requiring the provision of not less than six months of post-partum and interconception care for female participants of child-bearing age under the QUEST program.

HB2763 Re-establishes the Children of Incarcerated Parents Task Force, which ceased to exist on December 31, 2007, for a new term to last until December 31, 2011, to require annual task force reports to the Legislature.

SB2212 Based on recommendations of the Hawaii Anti-Trafficking Task Force. Among the provisions included in the bill are making it a crime of kidnapping in the first degree to intentionally or knowingly restrain another person with the intent to unlawfully obtain the labor or services of the person, regardless of whether a debt collection is involved, and to define "labor" and "services" accordingly and clarifies the elements of the offense of promoting prostitution in the first degree by adding a reference to "force, threat, or intimidation" and deleting "criminal coercion"; and applying the offense to a person who knowingly advances or profits from prostitution of a person who is less than eighteen years old.

SB2218 Requires electronic monitoring of persons convicted of violating a domestic abuse temporary restraining order or protective order.

HB2772 Continues the efforts to address human trafficking by extending the Hawaii Anti-Trafficking Task Force from June 30, 2008, to June 30, 2010.

HCR51 Requests the Department of Health to assess whether to require cervical cancer vaccinations for young women before they enter the seventh grade.

Members of the Women's Legislative Caucus are: Representatives Karen Leinani Awana, Della Au Belatti, Lyla Berg,Ph.D, Rida T. R. Cabanilla, Mele Carroll, Corinne W. L. Ching, Cindy Evans, Lynn Finnegan, Faye P. Hanohano, Sharon Har, Marilyn B. Lee, Sylvia J. Luke, Barbara C. Marumoto, Colleen Rose Meyer, Hermina M. Morita, Kymberly Pine, Maile S. L. Shimabukuro, Cynthia Thielen, and Senators Rosalyn Baker, Suzanne Chun Oakland, Carol Fukunaga, Colleen Hanabusa, Lorraine R. Inouye, Donna Mercado Kim, Jill Tokuda.

Easter came a few days early for IHS clients

Hawaii's bi-partisan Women's Legislative Caucus, spearheaded by Rep. Marilyn Lee and her office staff, organized an Easter Basket fundraising drive to collect goodies and useful products for the clients of the Institute for Human Services (IHS). Woven baskets, plastic storage boxes and even bundles of toilet paper wrapped in colorful gift wrap adorned the chamber entrance of the Capitol. House and Senate members filled the baskets with items such as toiletries, hygiene products, candy, clothes and snacks.

Thanks to the generosity of state lawmakers and legislative staff, IHS clients will have 223 baskets to open!

Photo (L-R): Rep. Barbara Marumoto, Rep. Corinne Ching, Rep. Cynthia Thielen, Rep. Cindy Evans, Rep. Marilyn Lee, Rep. Colleen Meyer, Sen. Norman Sakamoto, Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, Sen. Mike Gabbard.

Grrrl Power!

Since it's Girl's Day, we thought we'd highlight the 2008 Women's Legislative Caucus package. The Women's Caucus is bi-partisan and advocates for legislation that supports the needs of women and families.

In the House, 18 out of 51 members are women, and they are: Karen Awana, Della Au Belatti, Lyla Berg, Rida Cabanilla, Mele Carroll, Corinne Ching, Cindy Evans, Lynn Finnegan, Faye Hanohano, Sharon Har, Marilyn Lee, Sylvia Luke, Barbara Marumoto, Colleen Meyer, Hermina Morita, Kymberly Pine, Maile Shimabukuro, and Cynthia Thielen. The Senate is led by Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, and 7 of 25 members are women. In addition to Madame President, they are: Rosalyn Baker, Suzanne Chun Oakland, Carol Fukunaga, Lorraine Inouye, Donna Mercado Kim, Jill Tokuda.

Here's what's alive in the Women's Legislative Caucus package:

HB464, HD2 and companion SB1117. Medically accurate sex education. Requires recipients of state funding that provide sexual health education to provide medically accurate, factual information that is age-appropriate and includes education on both abstinence and contraception.

HB466, HD1 and companion SB1110. Emergency contraception. Requires a hospital, including a public health facility, to provide information and emergency contraception to a sexual assault victim; requires training; includes penalties.

HB2761, HD1 and companion SB2207. Post-partum care for QUEST participants. Requires at least 6 months post-partum and interconception care for women of childbearing age who are participants in the Hawaii QUEST health insurance program.

HB2763, HD1 and companion SB2211. Task Force for children of incarcerated parents. Re-establishes the children of incarcerated parents task force, which ceased to exist on December 31, 2007. Appropriates funds.

HB2766, HD2 and companion SB2218. Electronic monitoring of domestic abuse and TRO violators. Allows the courts to require electronic monitoring of persons convicted of violating a domestic abuse temporary restraining order or protective order. Appropriates funds for offenders who cannot afford to pay for costs associated with the monitoring device.

HB2770, HD1 and companion SB2214. Bridge to Hope program. Expands the Bridge to Hope Program to enable all heads of households receiving financial assistance and participating in the First-to-Work Program to pursue education beyond the federal limit of one-year of vocational education.

HB2772, HD3. Human trafficking. Extends the sunset date for the Hawaii Anti-trafficking Task Force to 2010. Amends composition of the Task Force. Appropriates funds.

HCR51 and companions HR50, SR14 and SCR20. Cervical cancer vaccinations. REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ASSESS THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF REQUIRING CERVICAL CANCER VACCINATIONS FOR GIRLS BEFORE THEY ENTER THE SEVENTH GRADE.

And here's what died:

HB2762, HD1 and companion SB2208. Rental housing eviction protection. Prohibits a landlord from evicting a rental housing tenant solely on the basis that the tenant is a victim of domestic violence.

HB2764, HD1 and companion SB2209. Bill of Rights for children of incarcerated parents.

HB2765, HD1. Sexual exploitation of a minor. Companion SB2212 is alive.

HB2767 and companion SB2216. Pilot project for prostitution prevention program.

HB2768 and companion SB2213. Advisory Board on Veterans' Services.

HB2769. Country of origin labeling for meat. Companion SB2215 is alive.

HB2771 and companion SB2210. Bridge to Hope eligibility requirements.

HB2773 and companion SB2217. DNA collection on arrested felons.

HB2774. Post-pregnancy care for QUEST participants. Companion SB2219 is alive.

Women's Caucus annual easter basket project update

Who: Benefits clients of the Institute for Human Services

What: Easter baskets or plastic boxes (preferred by IHS) suitable for storing items under a bed. Suggestions to fill your basket/box include: personal hygiene items, toiletries, small nonperishable snacks, razor blades, new socks (all sizes), new underwear (men, women and children's sizes), hand sanitizer and detergent (clothes washing facilities are available at IHS but detergent isn't furnished)

When: IHS will pick up the completed baskets/boxes on
March 20, 2008.

Where: Chamber level turnaround level of the State Capitol.

Questions? Call Rep. Marilyn Lee's office at 586-9460.

Easter Baskets for IHS

Every year, the Women's Legislative Caucus organizes an Easter basket project for the clients of the Institute for Human Services. Today, they put out the call to consider putting together a basket for needy families. Easter is early this year, March 23rd, so now is the time to start thinking about and collecting goodies for your basket. Personal hygiene items, toiletries, and small, non-perishable food items are most welcomed. More information is forthcoming on when baskets should be completed, suggestions on what to fill them with, and where to bring them.