Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1817 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Education to conduct criminal history record checks of providers, subcontractors, and institute of higher education trainees who work or train in close proximity to public school students.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education, Department of Human Resources Development, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and Hawaii Youth Services Network.

Your Committees find that state public employment laws require that all applicants and employees be of responsible and reputable character. While the Department of Education has procedures in place that address criminal history record checks for teachers and other employees who work in close proximity to children, it does not cover all department personnel. This measure will extend the coverage for individuals who may not necessarily be employees of the State, but who have contact with school children.

A technical, nonsubstantive amendment was made to conform to legislative drafting style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1817, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1817, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.