STAND. COM. REP. NO. 228

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 1393

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1393 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish an after-school activities program coordinator position and a task force to review and recommend improvements to the after-school activities programs.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Office of Youth Services, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and Hawaii Youth Services Network. The Department of Education and Department of Human Services submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that structured programs and activities for children and youth provide safe and nurturing environments for many students on their own after school. The Honolulu Police Department reports that juvenile crime peaks between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Providing interesting, challenging, and educational programs for youth during non-school hours is a strong protective factor against substance abuse and crime.

However, the State lacks a sufficient amount of programs to encourage the interests of the youth. This measure would establish a position to coordinate the State's efforts in providing quality after-school programs.

Upon further consideration your Committee has amended the measure by:

(1) Deleting the requirement that school administrators participate in the after-school activities program;

(2) Including an appropriation for after-school and weekend programs; and

(3) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1393, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1393, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education and Military Affairs,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair