STAND. COM. REP. NO. 575

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 800

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 800, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a five-year Child Care Center Pilot Program for state employees and their families, with one child care center in or around the Hawaii State Capitol building and one in Kapolei, Oahu.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; Executive Office on Early Learning; Early Learning Board; and United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services and Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii has some of the nation's highest child care costs, with a lack of access to affordable child care a substantial contribution to the State's high cost of living. Your Committee further finds that more stringent safety guidelines resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this problem. This measure is intended to assist the State's working families by increasing Oahu's child care supply while also creating an attractive benefit that may assist the State in the recruiting and retention of public employees.

Your notes that the Department of Human Services and Department of Accounting and General Services are willing to work together and with interested stakeholders to develop this pilot program. Your Committee further notes the concern raised in testimony by the Department of Accounting and General Services that a feasibility study may be necessary before a child care facility can be established.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 800, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair