STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1127

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 812

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 812, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAUMA-INFORMED EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Education to establish a three‑year pilot program for the development and implementation of a trauma‑informed education program in the Castle, Kailua, and Kalaheo complex areas, based on the Nanakuli‑Waianae complex area trauma‑informed education programs; and

(2) Require a report to the Legislature.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and Hale Kipa. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Department of Health.

Your Committees find that incorporating trauma-informed education in the State's public education system will help to address adverse childhood experiences. Trauma‑informed education involves mental health education for students, teachers, staff, parents, and community members, adds a flexible, responsive, and measured strategy for addressing trauma, and would be an important component to the Department of Education's multi-tier system of supports. Incorporating a trauma-informed education program in the public schools will enhance the staff's trauma awareness and skills to recognize behavior that results from exposure to trauma.

Your Committees further find that the Nanakuli‑Waianae complex area has incorporated trauma‑informed education into its schools and, since 2015, has seen a reduction in the suspension and absenteeism rates and an increase in graduation and teacher retention rates. The windward district, which includes the Castle, Kailua, and Kalaheo complex areas, created the Compassionate Koolaupoko Coalition, which includes numerous stakeholders who are currently working to bring trauma‑informed education to the district. A few schools in the district have already been trained in trauma-informed education. This measure will establish a three-year pilot program to develop a trauma-informed education program similar to the one in the Nanakuli-Waianae complex area in the Castle, Kailua, and Kalaheo complexes to reduce violence and absenteeism and help students to improve in their academic performance.

Your Committees note that additional expenditures may be necessary to effectuate the program.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2051, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 812, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 812, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Health,

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair