STAND. COM. REP. NO. 268-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2412

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Lower & Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2412 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAUMA-INFORMED EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to establish a three-year pilot program to develop a trauma-informed education program in the Castle, Kailua, and Kalaheo complexes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Complex Area Superintendent of the Castle-Kahuku Complex Area, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, IMUAlliance, Hoomaluhia, and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Department of Education, and Consuelo Foundation.

Your Committee finds that incorporating trauma-informed education in the State's public education system will help to address adverse childhood experiences and shift the mindset of schools from discipline-oriented to relationship-oriented and from exclusionary practices to inclusionary practices, which can help reduce suspension rates. In the Nanakuli-Waianae complex area, trauma-informed education has been incorporated into its schools and, since 2015, this complex area has seen a reduction in the suspension and absenteeism rates and an increase in graduation and teacher retention rates. This measure will establish a three-year pilot program to develop a trauma-informed education program in the Castle, Kailua, and Kalaheo complexes based on the trauma-informed education of the Nanakuli-Waianae complex area.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Correctly identifying the Castle-Kahuku and Kailua-Kalaheo complex areas, rather than referencing the Castle, Kailua, and Kalaheo complexes;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Lower & Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2412, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2412, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Lower & Higher Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair