STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1619

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 7

       H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 7, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO EXAMINE THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL WHO QUALIFY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Human Services to examine the application process for the Preschool Open Doors Program to ensure accessibility for all who qualify.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

     Your Committee finds that the Preschool Open Doors Program is a child care subsidy program through the Department of Human Services that provides statewide services to eligible low- and moderate-income families sending their children to licensed preschools prior to kindergarten.  Because the application process for the Preschool Open Doors Program does not allow applications to be submitted electronically, some families are unable to apply for the program.  Considering paperless or other cost-free application processes for the Preschool Open Doors Program will ensure that accessibility to the program can be reached by all who qualify.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 7, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

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JOSH GREEN, Chair