STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1641

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.R. No. 133

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 Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.R. No. 133 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE TO DEVELOP A REPORT TO ADDRESS THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN BORN DURING THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 PANDEMIC,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop a report to address the developmental needs of children born during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Wellness and Resilience; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Early Childhood Action Strategy; Hawai‘i Community Foundation; Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!; Parents And Children Together; and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that children born during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic have faced significant disruptions to their social, emotional, and cognitive development due to limited social interactions, increased screen time, and instability within households. Research indicates that many of these children are experiencing developmental delays, particularly in communication, fine motor skills, emotional regulation, and social engagement, which may lead to long-term academic and behavioral challenges. This measure requests the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop a report that examines the developmental needs of children born between 2018 and 2025 and propose strategies for early intervention and support, ensuring that affected children receive the necessary resources to mitigate developmental setbacks and thrive in their educational and social environments.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Extending the submission deadline for the report by the Office of Wellness and Resilience to the Legislature by one year to December 31, 2026; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 133, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 133, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair