STAND. COM. REP. NO. 454

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 628

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.B. No. 628, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Education to establish a program to award high school diplomas to persons:

(1) Who did not receive a diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the United States armed services during certain time periods; or

(2) Whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Office of Veterans Services; Hawaii Military Affairs Council; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that compulsory or voluntary induction into active service in the armed services of the United States and the implementation of other wartime practices caused the interruption of many individuals' education. Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a program to award high school diplomas to these individuals recognizes their service and sacrifice.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 628, 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 Public Safety,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair