STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1059

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 77

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 77 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A UNIFORM SEXUALITY HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Board of Education to develop a uniform sexuality health education program for all public schools.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii, Child and Family Service, and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Education and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that sexuality health education should be taught in a uniform manner across the State's public schools to ensure that students are receiving the same information, and should take into account the appropriateness of mandating sexual health education for certain age groups, social-emotional issues relating to sexuality, training standards for teachers, review options for curricula, and sufficient monitoring and oversight of a sexuality health program.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 77 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair