STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2957

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2711

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2711, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Specify additional exceptions under child labor laws to include certain work-based learning programs;

(2) Define youth vocational training program or internship; and

(2) Allow employment in youth vocational training programs or internships under chapter 390, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from HawaiiKidsCAN, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that state child labor laws must not unnecessarily stifle student access to quality work-based learning and internship opportunities. Local work-based learning, internship, and apprenticeship programs would benefit from an update to state its child labor law exemptions to align with best practices from around the country. This measure amends the child labor laws by making them less restrictive, which will encourage employers to provide more on-the-job training.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2711, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair