STAND. COM. REP. NO.  440

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.B. No. 397

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 397, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to better prepare Hawaii's youth for future success by establishing a standardized framework and funding mechanism for afterschool programs in public middle schools.  Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Statutorily establishes the Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture, and Health (R.E.A.C.H.) Program within the Office of Youth Services;

 

     (2)  Stipulates the powers and duties of the Office of Youth Services with regard to the R.E.A.C.H. Program including the provision of funds for the Program; and

 

     (3)  Establishes the R.E.A.C.H. Program Revolving Fund to receive fees and other moneys to assist in the administration and operation of the R.E.A.C.H. Program.

 

     The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Hawaii Youth Services Network, REACH Out Hawaii, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support of this measure.  The State Public Charter School Commission provided comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that the R.E.A.C.H. Program serves public middle schools, including charter schools; and

 

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

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 397, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 397, H.D. 2.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair