STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1596

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 498

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 498, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the proliferation of early learning in the State. 

Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Broadens the scope of the early learning program to include early childhood development;

     (2)  Expands the function of the Early Learning Advisory Board beyond an advisory capacity and amends the composition and powers of some board members; and

     (3)  Requires the Early Learning Advisory Board to appoint and evaluate the director of the Executive Office on Early Learning.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission, Early Learning Advisory Board, Kamehameha Schools, and Hawaii Children's Action Network.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

     Your Committee notes that the Department of Human Services requested an amendment that would provide for the definitions of "at-risk children" and "underserved children" directly in section 346-181, Hawaii Revised Statutes, rather than referencing existing definitions in section 302L-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, given that the priority for these children under the Department's Preschool Open Doors Program differs from that of the Public Prekindergarten Program under the measure.

In addition, the Executive Office on Early Learning requested amendments to the definitions of "early learning" and "early learning system" in section 302L-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and to section 346-181(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes, to make it clear that the programs of the Executive Office on Early Learning are separate and distinct from the Preschool Open Doors Program.

Your Committee respectfully requests that those issues be addressed by a Conference Committee that may further consider this measure.

     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. 498, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair