STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1146-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2052

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2052, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow students and teachers who agree to teach full-time at early childhood education centers or facilities for a specified length of time to participate in the Hawaii Educator Loan Program;

(2) Change the criteria for determining the amount of a Hawaii Educator Loan Program recipient's loan award and interest that will be waived each year; and

(3) Appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to provide loan forgiveness to early childhood education professionals.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, Kamehameha Schools, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of the Attorney General, State Public Charter School Commission, Executive Office on Early Learning, and Early Learning Board.

Your Committee finds that incentivizing the development of a pool of highly qualified early childhood professionals will ensure that Hawaii's students receive an educational foundation that will help to prevent these students from being inappropriately referred to special education or engaging in activities that could lead to suspensions or expulsions.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that students are eligible for the Hawaii Educator Loan Program if they agree to teach full-time at:

(A) Public prekindergarten programs at public charter schools; or

(B) Early childhood education centers or group child care centers licensed by the Department of Human Services;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 2, 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 S.B. No. 2052, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2052, S.D. 2, 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