STAND. COM. REP. NO.  66

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2019

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1346

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Lower & Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1346 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to support and foster the social-emotional and behavioral development of young children, which reflects national guidelines and best practices in this regard, by prohibiting the suspension and expulsion of children participating in the Executive Office on Early Learning public prekindergarten program, except in very limited circumstances.

 

     The Department of Education, Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Learning Board, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children's Action Network, Parents and Children Together, and a few concerned individuals supported this measure.  A concerned individual opposed the measure.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; 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 Lower & Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1346, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1346, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Lower & Higher Education,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair