Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2724, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to establish and appropriate funds for the Hawaii 3-5 Transition Task Force to research, design, and develop an implementation plan to provide a continuum of services for children ages three to five who may require early intervention, special education, or related services.

The Department of Education, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Hawaii Early Intervention Coordinating Council testified in support of this bill. Cure Autism Now Foundation, Hawaii Chapter, supported this measure with amendments. The Department of Health supported the intent of this bill. Two concerned individuals offered comments.

Your Committee notes that concerns were raised regarding the need to provide educational services appropriate to a child's developmental age, and not only appropriate to the child's chronological age.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2724, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.