STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1138-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2259

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Lower & Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2259, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOLS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Workforce Readiness Program to provide opportunities for students to earn diplomas and various certificates that pertain to employment.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from McKinley Community School for Adults, Waipahu Community School for Adults, Hawaii Pacific Health, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and numerous individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Executive Office on Early Learning, and Early Learning Board.

Your Committees find that current high school graduates and non-graduates would benefit from aligning educational curriculum to a workforce readiness preparation program that will ensure they receive the industry-based skills and certification required for employment after graduation.

Your Committees have 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 records of votes of the members of your Committees on Lower & Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2259, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2259, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Lower & Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________ AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair

____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair