STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3645

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2094

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2094, H.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:

(1) Establish an early childhood educator stipend program to be administered by the Executive Office on Early Learning to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators in Hawaii; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Department of Human Services, State Public Charter School Commission, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Early Learning Board, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Kamehameha Schools, Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, Children's Action Network Speaks!, Parents and Children Together, Kaulanakilohana, and six private individuals.

Your Committee finds that potential workers in the early childhood education face formidable obstacles. Even highly qualified and motivated workers are paid very low wages. As a result, recruitment and retention of workers in the early childhood education field can be extremely challenging. This measure provides one important means of improving the recruitment and retention of workers in a field that is a State priority.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2055, 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 H.B. No. 2094, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2094, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, 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