STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2117

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 388

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 388, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to:

(1) Evaluate and assess certain vulnerable children and children exhibiting emergent or persistent behavioral issues at the request of the child's parent or guardian;

(2) Assess suspended students at the request of the student's parent or guardian to identify factors contributing to the student's suspension and provide services to the student for any social disorder, emotional disorder, or learning difference or provide students 14 years old or older with the option of attending an alternative or vocational school; and

(3) Establish a task force to create a system for evaluating and assessing all children and those who are exhibiting emergent or persistent behaviors, academic challenges, or chronic absenteeism and are in need of appropriate supports and interventions accessible within the continuum of a multi-tiered system of supports.

The Mililani Psychology Group and several individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Education and Kinai ‘Eha provided comments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 388, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair