STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1683

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 620

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 620, H.D. 1, 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 promote braille literacy and support the provision of braille educational services for eligible low vision or blind students.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes requirements for access to braille instructional materials;

(2) Requires braille educational services for students with low vision or blindness to assess individual student abilities and needs; and

(3) Establishes and appropriates moneys for a braille literacy resource center within the Department of Education.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and eight individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that braille literacy skills are widely understood as essential for low vision and blind students to actively learn, seek and maintain remunerative employment, engage in cultural enrichment and hobbies, and access opportunities in life. Your Committee further finds that it is necessary for the State to promote braille instruction and timely access to braille instructional materials for low vision and blind students, parents, teachers, and other school personnel.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 620, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair