STAND. COM. REP. NO. 909

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1189

       S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 1189, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to ensure that underserved and at-risk children have access to crucial preschool education.

     Specifically, this measure clarifies the definition of "underserved" or "at-risk" children as it relates to the priority given to these children for the Preschool Open Doors program.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Kamehameha Schools, and one concerned individual.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Parents and Children Together, and Hawaii Children's Action Network.

     Your Committee finds that the Preschool Open Doors program provides a way for families with low and low-moderate incomes to afford a high quality early learning setting for their children and also allows parents of the children an opportunity to work or pursue higher education or training.  Your Committee further finds that access to stimulating and safe preschool or child care would not be possible for many low and low-moderate income families without the subsidies provided by this program.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

     (2)  Changing the effective date from upon approval to July 1, 2018.

     Your Committee intends that the amendment clarifying priority among underserved or at-risk children serve as a compromise between the amendments suggested by the Department of Human Services and the Executive Office on Early Learning.

     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 S.B. No. 1189, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1189, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair