STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1119

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   H.C.R. No. 52

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 52 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO ASSESS WHETHER STATE AGENCIES' ANTI-BULLYING POLICIES AND RECORDS OF INCIDENCES OF BULLYING ARE PROPERLY UPDATED AND EFFECTIVELY UTILIZED,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Office of the Governor to convene a task force to assess whether state agencies' anti-bullying policies and records of incidences of bullying are properly updated and effectively utilized.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Education, University of Hawaii System, and Hawaii Association of School Psychologists.

 

     Your Committee finds that all students have the right to fully participate in the education process that is free from bullying, including cyberbullying and harassment.  Your Committee further finds that implementing new policies that focus on progressive punishments, rather than punitive punishments, for students that have committed acts of bullying, cyberbullying, or harassment should be prioritized.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that the task force is requested to consider race or color and ancestry or national origin when providing recommendations on changes to curricula that are meant to reduce bullying and promote civil conduct through education;

 

     (2)  Clarifying that the task force is requested to consider that students who have committed acts of bullying, cyberbullying, or harassment be given non-punitive actions that are meant to address the root causes of bullying;

 

     (3)  Including trauma-informed care and restorative justice programs under the non-punitive actions that may be given to students who have committed acts of bullying, cyberbullying, or harassment; 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 Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 52, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 52, H.D. 1.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair