STAND. COM. REP. NO. 405

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 496

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 496 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Education to provide training on social and emotional learning to all youth-serving educators, health care professionals and counselors, agencies and programs, and parents of students enrolled in public schools or public charter schools.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Special Education Advisory Council, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Community Children's Council of Hawaii, Early Childhood Action Strategy, IMUAlliance, and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

 

     Your Committee finds that the development of social and emotional skills is vital to the success of Hawaii's students.  Your Committee further finds that training on social and emotional learning will help educators and other professionals within the State's public schools and public charter schools to create a safe and civil environment for students and reduce bullying, cyberbullying, and other disruptive or harmful behavior.  This measure will ensure that Hawaii's education professionals are equipped to provide social and emotional skill learning services to their students.

 

     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 S.B. No. 496 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair