STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2100

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2393

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2393 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Education to:

(1) Create a comprehensive plan to establish alternative learning centers in each school complex area in the State; and

(2) Submit the plan to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2019.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Teachers Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that alternative learning centers provide specialized services, such as trauma treatment, life skills training, vocational education, mental health treatment, medical services, substance abuse intervention, and mentorship programs, to meet the unique needs of at-risk youth. By offering troubled children the long-term and individualized support they need, these children can develop physically, mentally, and socially in a conducive learning environment.

Your Committee has heard the testimony of the Department of Education expressing concerns relating to a comprehensive needs assessment, a cost analysis, a projected implementation plan, and an appropriation of $200,000 to the Department to contract for these studies if this measure were to pass. Additionally, the Department of Education proposed submitting an update report to the 2018-2019 Legislature and a final report to the 2019-2020 Legislature, including any budget requests or legislation, as necessary. Your Committee finds that these issues raise concerns that merit further consideration and requests that your Committee on Ways and Means further examine those issues and concerns raised by the Department of Education on this measure.

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. 2393 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair