STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1478

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 937

       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. 937, 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 appropriate funds for the Executive Office on Early Learning to enter into contracts with third-party providers for family-child interaction learning programs.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, State Public Charter School Commission, Hui for Excellence in Education, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Native Hawaiian Education Council, Kamehameha Schools, Parents and Children Together, Hawaii Children's Action Network, and two individuals.

     Your Committee notes that the Executive Office on Early Learning has proposed the following amendments to this measure:

(1)  Amending the purpose section to state that the measure appropriates funds for contracts with third-party providers "for the implementation of services which offer opportunities for family and community engagement as well as parent education and support"; and

(2)  Amending the appropriation section to more generally provide that the funds are for contracts with third-party providers "to develop and implement programs", rather than "for family-child interaction learning programs," that support families to take an active role in the social, emotional, and cognitive development of their young children.

     Your Committee further notes that these proposed amendments should be considered if the measure is scheduled for Conference.

     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. 937, 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