STAND. COM. REP. NO. 964

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 692

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 692, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Expand the Preschool Open Doors Program's eligibility criteria; and

(2) Repeal the requirement that Preschool Open Doors Program providers be accredited.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Department of Human Services; Early Learning Board; Executive Office on Early Learning; Department of Community Services of the City and County of Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools; Parents And Children Together; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; Indivisible Hawaiʻi Statewide Network; Pride at Work - Hawaiʻi; American Association of University Women of Hawaii; Save Medicaid Hawaii; Kalaheo Elementary School PTSA; Hawaii Clubhouse Coalition; Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Early Childhood Action Strategy and Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!.

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 H.B. No. 692, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair