STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2095

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 239

S.D. 2

H.D. 3

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 239, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING ACCREDITATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Human Services to establish a Child Care Accreditation Program to support accreditation of licensed and registered child care providers;

(2) Delay the deadlines for existing Preschool Open Doors Program service providers to commence the accreditation process and obtain accreditation;

(3) Appropriate funds for the Child Care Accreditation Program; and

(4) Appropriate funds into and out of the Child Care Grant Program Special Fund for Child Care Accreditation Program grants.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Parents and Children Together, American Association of University Women of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools, Hawaii Council of Private Schools, Early Childhood Action Strategy, and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Early Learning Board, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, and three individuals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the number of positions established for the Child Care Accreditation Program to an unspecified number; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 239, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 239, S.D. 2, H.D. 3.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair