STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1355

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 1286

      S.D. 2

      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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 1286, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRIVATE TRADE, VOCATIONAL, AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Clarify the scope of the Department of Education's private trade, vocational, or technical school licensure program;

     (2)  Establish a licensing fee to ensure the sustainability of the licensure program;

     (3)  Establish a license renewal process and renewal licensure fee;

     (4)  Establish a Private Trade, Vocational, and Technical School Licensure Special Fund; and

     (5)  Appropriate funds for the administrative costs of the licensure program, including the establishment of a permanent, full-time position within the Department of Education.

The Department of Education testified in support of this measure.  The Maui School of Therapeutic Massage and Pacific Center for Awareness and Bodywork testified in support of the intent of this measure.  The Department of Budget and Finance, Hawaii Institute of Hair Design, and Maritime License Center provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by allowing either compliance with federal regulations or accreditation requirements to be used by the Department of Education for licensure of a private trade, vocational, or technical school rather than requiring both conditions to be met.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1286, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1286, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair