STAND. COM. REP. NO. 808

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 687

       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. 687, 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 promote early learning in the State.

     More specifically, this measure:

(1)  Broadens the scope of the State's early learning program to include early childhood development; and

(2)  Expands the function and powers of the Early Learning Advisory Board, including appointment and evaluation of the director of the Executive Office on Early Learning.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Learning Advisory Board, Hawaii Children's Action Network, and Kamehameha Schools.

     Your Committee finds that early learning programs are essential to prepare children for entry into kindergarten.  The Executive Office on Early Learning was created, in part, to ensure a spectrum of high-quality early learning opportunities for children throughout the State.  The Early Learning Advisory Board was established in 2012 to serve in an advisory role for the Executive Office on Early Learning.  Your Committee believes that expanding the powers and functions of the Early Learning Advisory Board will help provide the authority necessary to oversee the Executive Office on Early Learning and ensure the development and implementation of state policies regarding early learning programs.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing references of "early childhood education" to "early learning" in relevant sections of the Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

(2)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity and consistency.

     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. 687, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 687, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair