STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2074-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 122

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 122, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A SUNRISE REVIEW OF THE REGULATION AND LICENSURE OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct a sunrise analysis of the regulation and licensure of school psychologists.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Education, and Board of Psychology. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that school psychologists provide effective services to help children and youth with their social-emotional learning needs and can work with parents, educators, and other professionals to create supportive learning and social environments for all children. Your Committee further finds that school psychologists are not presently subject to regulation or required to undergo any formal credentialing process by the State. This measure therefore requests the Auditor to conduct a sunrise analysis of the regulation and licensure of school psychologists, as proposed by Senate Bill No. 1274, Regular Session of 2021.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Education and Board of Psychology raised various questions and issues in their written testimonies submitted to your Committee that each believes the sunrise analysis may be able to resolve or clarify. Your Committee requests that the Auditor address the concerns listed in the written testimonies of the Department of Education and Board of Psychology as part of the sunrise analysis.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 122, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair