STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2302

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2063

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 S.B. No. 2063 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for 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.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, University of Hawaii, State Public Charter School Commission, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Kaho‘omiki, Hawaii Afterschool Alliance, and a private individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Department of Human Services and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that in 2016 the legislature requested the Department of Education to convene a working group to review after-school programs in Hawaii's public middle and intermediate schools. The working group found that there is an immediate need to increase the funding for out-of-school programs in the State to provide services to all of the children that would like to participate in these kinds of programs.

Your Committee further finds that thirty-six thousand children are left alone each day during the hours after-school in Hawaii. A single funding source to support quality care and learning in out-of-school time, increase student access that build character, self-esteem, and prevent risky behaviors through a variety of educational activities that enhance student outcomes. After-school programs also allow parents to work without worry, confident in the fact that their children will be in a safe, enjoyable after-school programs until they can come home.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that public charter schools are included; and

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

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