STAND

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 431

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 1634

S.D. 1

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1634 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand early childhood education facilities.

Specifically, this measure would:

(1) Require the Department of Education to use empty classrooms and identify construction sites for early childhood education facilities;

(2) Authorize the department to inspect early childhood education facilities;

(3) Request studies on the progress of various early childhood education programs and the age limits for public school junior kindergarten; and

(4) Appropriate funds.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Education, Department of Human Services, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Good Beginnings Alliance, and Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children. The Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments.

Your Committees find that there has been a great demand for early childhood education facilities. As more parents become aware of the importance of preschool education, the demand for programs and facilities will increase further. There are a variety of options available for parents to send their children to early childhood education programs. However, no matter which program is chosen, it is of critical importance to ensure that the facilities are safe and conducive to learning. This measure will assist in the improvement and further development of early childhood education.

Upon further consideration, your Committees have amended this measure to include the following provisions:

(1) Adding the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and Good Beginnings Alliance to the task force;

(2) Providing the foundation for a future office of early education;

(3) Studying the feasibility of required pre-kindergarten;

(4) Directing the Department of Human Services to work with the counties on streamlining the permitting process for early education facilities; and

(5) Adding an appropriation section for Department of Education facilities renovations and classroom supplies.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1634, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1634, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Human Services,

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair		____________________________ NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair