STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1522

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 1503

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SPECIAL EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to help ensure that students eligible for special education and related services receive a quality education by requiring:

     (1)  Certain private special education schools and programs that provide services to students with disabilities who receive state funding to comply with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations; and

     (2)  Any nonpublic special education school or program that is not accredited by specified accrediting agencies to apply for accreditation within 90 days from the date of accepting a student with disabilities who was placed there under certain specified conditions.

     The State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Special Education Advisory Council, and Hawaii Association of Independent Schools testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Autism Society of Hawaii, and several concerned individuals testified in opposition to this measure.  The Community Children's Council of Hawaii and Good Beginnings Alliance offered comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 2, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair