STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1273

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 549

H.D. 3

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 549, H.D. 3, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program, to be administered by the University of Hawaii, to assist publicly- or privately-run early learning program service providers participating in state- and federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Learning Board, University of Hawaiʻi System, Department of Community Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!, Pride at Work - Hawaiʻi, Parents and Children Together, AAUW of Hawaii, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Commit to Keiki, Holomua Collaborative, and seventeen individuals.

Your Committees find that high-quality early learning programs are essential to the growth and development of children, assist working families in securing and sustaining employment and economic vitality, and benefit the economy. Your Committees further find that the State is experiencing a significant shortage of qualified early learning professionals as the early learning sector struggles with recruitment, retention, and fair compensation. Your Committees additionally find that registered apprenticeship programs offer a potential solution, providing businesses with well-trained and qualified employees while also ensuring that employees are fairly compensated commensurate to the necessary qualifications. This measure will facilitate the participation of early learning service providers in early learning apprenticeship programs, improving the recruitment and retention of early learning professionals in the State.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 549, H.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 549, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair