STAND. COM. REP. NO. 287

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 500

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 500 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish the R.E.A.C.H. (Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture, and Health) program in the Office of Youth Services to provide a standardized framework and funding for after-school programs in public middle and intermediate schools;

     (2)  Require the Office of Youth Services to report to the Legislature on program implementation and funding allocation;

     (3)  Establish that the R.E.A.C.H. program will be run by a program specialist to be appointed by the Governor; and

     (4)  Establish a special fund to receive fees and other monies to supplement the costs of administering and operating the R.E.A.C.H. program.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Department of Education; Department of Education, Honolulu District Office; Office of Youth Services; State Public Charter School Commission; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Hawaii Youth Services; ‘Ohana Health Plan; High Tech Youth Network; Hawaii Children's Action Network; Hawai‘i Afterschool Alliance; Family Programs Hawaii; HE‘E Coalition; and twenty-one individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committees find that after-school programming represents an upfront investment in Hawaii's youth, as after-school programs can improve attendance, behavior, and academic performance, while reducing the likelihood that youth will engage in risky behavior.  Your Committees further find that the R.E.A.C.H. (resources for enrichment, athletics, culture, and health) initiative was established in March 2013 to develop a framework and funding base for after-school programs for public middle and intermediate school students throughout the State.  Since its inception, the R.E.A.C.H. initiative has provided over $2,250,000 in funding for after-school programs, including thirty-nine schools throughout all counties in the State, and has proven to be important to the future and welfare of the State as a whole.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting findings that outline the responsibilities of the Department of Education's Community Engagement Office, including its responsibilities regarding the R.E.A.C.H. program;

     (2)  Inserting language that establishes the R.E.A.C.H. program within the Community Engagement Office under chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, rather than within the Office of Youth Services under chapter 352D, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 500, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 500, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Education,

________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair

________________________________ JOSH GREEN, Chair