STAND. COM. REP. NO. 153-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1986

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Lower & Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1986 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a Trauma-Informed Approach Task Force to develop a trauma-informed approach plan for the Department of Education.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, IMUAlliance, Education Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and four individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Department of Education.

Your Committees find that the Department of Education has several complex area, school, and community initiatives for providing models, training, and technical support to develop trauma-sensitive programming. Your Committees additionally find that the Department of Education was awarded a grant by the United States Department of Education to support students from low-income families who have experienced trauma that negatively affects their educational experience.

Your Committees further find that there are other task forces that have purposes which may overlap with the purpose of the Trauma-Informed Approach Task Force established by this measure. By participating in and collaborating with these other task forces, your Committees believe that the Trauma-Informed Approach Task Force may gain greater insight into developing the trauma-informed approach plan.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Placing the Task Force within the Department of Education and changing the chair of the Task Force to the Superintendent of Education;

(2) Authorizing the Task Force to participate in and collaborate with any other task force;

(3) Changing its effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Lower & Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1986, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1986, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Lower & Higher Education,

____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair

____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair