STAND. COM. REP. NO. 531-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1988

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1988, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Board of Education to release from school attendance students observing religious practices.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Board of Education is currently required to excuse any student absence due to the student's observation of a religious holy day. However, your Committee further finds that students may also miss school because of the observation of other religious practices. Your Committee believes that an absence caused by the observation of other religious practices should not be considered an absence of any kind and should not prevent an otherwise eligible student from receiving perfect attendance.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Defining "religious practice" as a significant event connected with a deeply held religious belief; and

(2) 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 Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1988, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1988, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair