STAND. COM. REP. NO. 194

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 866

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 866 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO SUPPORT THE AFTER-SCHOOL PLUS PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to fund the Department of Education's After-school Plus Program to:

     (1)  Enhance oversight and administration of the After-school Plus Program by developing and implementing professional training for program staff and an evaluation system;

     (2)  Enhance and improve the content of the After-school Plus Program; and

     (3)  Alleviate the tuition burden on families of children participating in the After-school Plus Program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network, Moiliili Community Center, Kahoomiki, YMCA of Honolulu, Hawaii Afterschool Alliance, Kamaaina Kids, and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committee finds that the Department of Education's After-school Plus Program has met a substantial need in the community for after-school childcare for the past twenty-five years.  The program provides safe and structured after-school care for thousands of Hawaii families.  Currently, the program is supported by user fees and Department of Human Services subsidies for income eligible families.  Because operating costs continue to climb, an infusion of funds is necessary to keep user fees reasonable while providing high quality programming.

     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. 866 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair