STAND. COM. REP. NO. 341

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 420

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 420 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and three individuals.

Your Committees find that work-based learning opportunities offer Department of Education students with learning experiences in high demand professions, a student's preferred, future career path, and practical experience and preparation for the student's professional goals. While the Department of Education sponsors a Work-Based Learning Program for Department students, newly graduated seniors are not eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation. As the health and safety of students is of paramount importance, extending workers' compensation coverage will protect recent graduates who are gaining valuable professional experience. Therefore, this measure aligns with the State's workforce development and education goals while ensuring necessary safeguards for student participants.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Labor and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 420, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 420, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Labor and Technology,

________________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair

________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair