STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1303

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 1189

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1189, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure that underserved and at-risk children have access to crucial preschool education by clarifying the definition of "underserved" or "at-risk" children as it relates to the priority given to these children for the Preschool Open Doors program.

The Executive Office on Early Learning, Kamehameha Schools, and a concerned individual supported this measure.  The Department of Human Services supported the intent of the measure.  Parents and Children Together and Hawaii Children's Action Network submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring that priority among underserved or at-risk children be extended to children whose family income is at or below three hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty level; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2051, to encourage further discussion.

     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. 1189, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1189, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair