REPORT TITLE: 
Public Schools
DESCRIPTION:
Adds a new section providing for distance learning in public
schools.

 
HB HMIA 2000-16
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:


 1      SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds that the potential
 
 2 benefits of distance learning are significant, and can be
 
 3 achieved without major new commitments of tax funds.
 
 4      The purpose of this Act is to provide for distance learning
 
 5 in public schools.
 
 6      SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
 
 7 amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and
 
 8 to read as follows:
 
 9    "Part   .  Distance learning: Wiring the Public Schools Act
 
10      �302A-     Public policy.  (a)  It is state policy that all
 
11 students in the state, regardless of economic or geographic
 
12 status, deserve the educational benefits offered by distance
 
13 learning through state-of-the-art technology.
 
14      (b)  The state recognizes that distance learning can enhance
 
15 the educational opportunities for all schools, especially those
 
16 with unique needs.
 
17      (c)  The state also recognizes the obligation to utilize the
 
18 cost-efficient opportunity of new building and renovation of
 
19 schools to install wiring in education facilities, and to avoid
 

 
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 1 costly independent retro-fitting at a later time.
 
 2      �302A-     Definitions.  As used in this part unless the
 
 3 context otherwise requires:
 
 4      "Distance learning" means the transmission of educational
 
 5 information and interaction of geographically dispersed
 
 6 individuals or groups through a single medium or a combination of
 
 7 audio, video, and data.
 
 8      "Major renovation" means the reconstruction or
 
 9 rehabilitation of a school building during which the renovation
 
10 creates a cost-efficient opportunity to install wiring and other
 
11 equipment necessary for the implementation of distance learning.
 
12      "Wiring" means copper, coaxial, fiber optic, or any other
 
13 cabling that has the capabilities of signal conveyance.
 
14      �302A-     Statement of purpose.(a)  At the time that a
 
15 school district is developing a plan for the construction of a
 
16 new school or for a major renovation of an existing school, the
 
17 school district shall seriously consider the cost efficient
 
18 inclusion of wiring and other equipment necessary for distance
 
19 learning.
 
20      (b)  The renovation plan shall include:
 
21           (1) Consultation with the telecommunication hardware
 
22           and service providers to determine options available to
 
23           the schools which shall be documented in the plan;
 

 
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 1           (2) A listing of existing distance learning programs
 
 2           which they may join; and
 
 3           (3) The costs of the wiring and other equipment
 
 4           necessary for distance learning.
 
 5      �302A-     Severability.  If any provision of this Act, or
 
 6 the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held
 
 7 invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or
 
 8 applications of the Act which can be given effect without the
 
 9 invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions
 
10 of this Act are severable."
 
11      SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
12 
 
13                         INTRODUCED BY:___________________________
 

 
HB HMIA 2000-16