STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3033

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 35

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 35, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a safe space program within Alternative Learning Centers in the Department of Education to support students by providing twenty-four hours per day seven days per week emergency crisis services; and

(2) Make an appropriation.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Complex Area Superintendent of the Nanakuli-Waianae Complex Area, Waianae High School, Adult friends for Youth, and twelve private individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one private individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committees find that a safe space program within the Alternative Learning Centers of the Department of Education would provide support for children who are in crisis due to issues and conditions they are experiencing in their lives outside of the classroom. Students who receive this assistance will have improved learning outcomes.

Your Committees find that the State should provide the educational and behavioral health supports needed to help all children grow up to become healthy, happy, productive members of society. Therefore, in implementing the safe space program, the Department of Human Services is encouraged to reach out to private nonprofit organizations with specialized expertise in this area.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the safe space program is an add-on pilot project and not a requirement for every Alternative Learning Center in the State;

(2) Including in the preamble that the purpose of this measure is to support students within the Alternative Learning Center program as a priority target group, and noting that these students are identified as having needs for support outside of the classroom to contribute towards their educational success; and

(3) Including a limited exemption from the procurement code for the purpose of awarding contracts to effectuate the safe place program within the Alternative Learning Centers of the Department of Education; provided that all contracts awarded must still comply with statutory and regulatory requirements for post-award documentation, management, and posting, including but not limited to section 103D-310(c).

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 35, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 35, S.D. 2, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair