STAND. COM. REP. NO.  847

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 672

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 672, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the Department of Education's strategic efforts to address students' physical, mental, and social-emotional health through school programs and partnerships that support health and well-being by:

     (1)  Expanding the Department's Hawaii Keiki: Healthy and Ready to Learn Program (Program) to all fifteen school complex areas statewide and expanding its scope to include preventative oral health education services;

     (2)  Establishing a Hawaii Keiki: Healthy and Ready to Learn Special Fund and positions within the Departments of Health and Human Services to support the Program; and

     (3)  Appropriating funds to implement, expand, and sustain the Program.

The State Public Charter School Commission, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, Hawaii Pacific Health, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hui for Excellence in Education, Kapiolani Child Protection Center, IMUAlliance, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Children's Action Network, Prime Care Services Hawaii, Incorporated, and many individuals supported this measure.  Two individuals opposed this measure.  The Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Department of Budget and Finance, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Executive Office on Early Learning, School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, The Queen's Health Systems, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Project Vision Hawaii, Special Education Advisory Council, Hawaii Primary Care Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and two individuals provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 672, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair