Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2210, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to hire additional counselors and college counselors in all public schools.

Your Committee finds that the students in Hawaii's public schools should have greater access to school counselors in preparation for higher education and vocations. Counselors are able to assist college applicants, advise future graduates of their employment options, and provide other valuable information when students realize that they are about to enter a new life outside the school environment. Counselors can also provide other types of advisory service for students who experience trauma and emotional problems. In order to give children the greatest opportunity for access to these counseling services, the number of counselors needs to be increased, and this measure is expected to do that.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2210, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.