Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 175, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Human Services (DHS) to implement a pilot public-private partnership program with the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) and Hawaii Catholic Schools Department (HCSD), with the goal of allowing HAIS and HCSD to self-regulate and manage their private preschools.

The DHS, HAIS, and Hawaii Catholic Conference submitted testimony in support of this measure.

HAIS is an organization of member schools that advocates on behalf of independent education in Hawaii. HCSD performs functions similar to HAIS for Hawaii's Catholic elementary schools. HAIS and HCSD currently provide assistance to private preschools that want to achieve accreditation. The DHS is tasked with the responsibility to ensure that private preschools maintain health and safety standards.

HAIS and HCSD are proposing a working public-private partnership with DHS to build a coordinated system of programs, policies, and services that better respond to the needs of families who want to send their children to private preschools.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 175, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.