STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3529

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1814

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1814, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Education to provide training and data accountability on public school pupil punishment and use of restraints restrictions established by Act 206, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and Special Education Advisory Council.

     Your Committee finds that Act 206, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014, requires certain school personnel to be properly trained in the use of physical restraints and nonviolent intervention and how to develop and maintain a database in order to document all incidents including the use of restraints.  Currently, the Department of Education does not have the materials, database infrastructure, or personnel necessary to implement Act 206.  Providing the appropriate funds to the Department to purchase materials, upgrade infrastructure, and hire the necessary personnel to implement Act 206 will help adequately train the State's public school employees and provide sufficient protection to students.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the unspecified appropriation amount to $460,000; and

     (2)  Making a technical nonsubstantive amendment for the purpose of style and clarity.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1814, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1814, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair