STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1144-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2063

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. 2063, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Hawaii After School Program for Youth within the Department of Education Community Engagement Branch to provide after school programs for children in grades six through eight; and

(2) Establish the Hawaii After School Program for Youth Special Fund (Special Fund) and appropriate funds into and out of the Special Fund for implementation costs and expenses of the Hawaii After School Program for Youth, under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, State Public Charter School Commission, University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Arts Alliance, After-School All-Stars Hawaii, Hawaii Afterschool Alliance, Hui for Excellence in Education, Kahoomiki, Parents and Children Together, and eight individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Human Services, and Challenge Island Oahu.

Your Committee finds that more than thirty-six thousand children in the State are left alone after school each day.  Providing additional after school programs to Hawaii's students will inspire and motivate them to learn, support their social and emotional growth, and help raise academic achievement.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2051; and

(2) 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. 2063, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2063, 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