STAND. COM. REP. NO.  928

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   S.B. No. 980

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 980, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a standardized framework and funding mechanism for afterschool programs in public middle and intermediate schools.  Specifically, this bill:

(1)  Statutorily establishes the Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture, and Health (R.E.A.C.H.) Program within the Office of Youth Services and specifies the role of the Office with regards to the program and its reporting requirements; and

(2)  Establishes the R.E.A.C.H. Program Speical Fund to receive fees and other moneys to supplement the costs of administering and operating the R.E.A.C.H. Program.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Office of Youth Services, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, REACH Out Hawai‘i, and two individuals supported this measure.  Kokua Council & AARP 60 commented on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding a definition of "public middle schools" to clarify that the R.E.A.C.H. program serves public middle schools, including charter schools;

     (2)  Clarifying that the Office of Youth Services shall establish program requirements and participation fees or other charges through administrative rules pursuant to Chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 980, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 980, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

DEE MORIKAWA, Chair