STAND. COM. REP. NO. 727

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1095

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Early Childhood Education Program.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor, Board of Education, Department of Human Services, Early Learning Advisory Board, University of Hawaii System, City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, Castle and Cooke Hawaii, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii Business Roundtable, Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, IMUAlliance, Kamehameha Schools, Special Education Advisory Board, and seventy-one individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety and Hawaii Pacific Health.

 

     Your Committee finds that early childhood learning programs encourage positive outcomes for young children by preparing them for school.  Significant research suggests that children involved in early education are less likely to drop out of school and have higher reading capabilities than children who have not attended these programs.  Your Committee believes that providing high-quality educational programs that increase the likelihood of success for youth are in the best interest of the State.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that the Early Childhood Education Program will address Hawaii's children's physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional development and prepare them for success in the classroom.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Clarifying that the measure is to take effect upon the ratification of an amendment to article X, section 1, of the Hawaii State Constitution permitting the appropriation of public funds for private early childhood education programs;

 

(2)  Clarifying that the Executive Office on Early Learning shall adopt administrative rules necessary to implement the program;

 

(3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050; provided that the constitutional amendment is ratified, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

 

(4)  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 Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1095, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair