STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3529

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 3237

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 3237, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to implement the recommendations of the temporary early childhood education task force established by Act 151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2005.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes the Office of Early Learning to develop and implement a comprehensive, statewide early learning system for children up to five years of age;

(2) Establishes the early learning policy board to govern the Office of Early Learning;

(3) Requires the Office of Early Learning to establish an early learning community council in each county to collect and report data, identify outcomes and indicators, set strategic priorities, coordinate programs and services, carry out planning and budgetary duties, and assess community performance;

(4) Authorizes the Office of Early Learning to contract with a tax-exempt early education organization for assistance and appropriates funds therefor;

(5) Requires the Office of Early Learning to assist in expanding workforce and professional development opportunities in early learning; and

(6) Establishes and appropriates funds for a five-year pilot program that includes, among other things: a summer transition program for children entering kindergarten and junior kindergarten; transition and professional development training; parenting, caregiver, and family childcare education; and a model preschool.

Your Committee is aware that a significant barrier to obtaining high quality programs in early childhood education is the lack of infrastructure development. Necessary infrastructure includes high quality standards, workforce and professional development, service tracking, and the development of financing mechanisms. The establishment of the Office of Early Learning will enable the State to systematically develop the comprehensive early learning system that the young children of Hawaii require.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing all appropriations to unspecified amounts for the purpose of facilitating further discussion;

(2) Changing the effective date of the measure to July 1, 2050, also for the purpose of facilitating further discussion; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 H.B. No. 3237, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 3237, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair