STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1649

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 692

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. 692, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand the Preschool Open Doors program.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Expands the eligibility criteria for participation in the Preschool Open Doors program; and

(2) Repeals the accreditation requirement for Preschool Open Doors program providers.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; Executive Office on Early Learning; District 2 of the Hawaii County Council; City and County of Honolulu; Early Learning Board; Kamehameha Schools; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 50; Parents and Children Together; American Association of University Women; Early Childhood Action Strategy; Democratic Party of Hawaii; Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Island Pediatrics of Honolulu; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from three individuals.

Your Committee finds that expanding the Preschool Open Doors program will help reduce financial barriers for community-based early learning programs, enable more parents and caregivers to participate in the workforce, and ensure that more children receive important early childhood development and learning experiences.

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. 692, 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