STAND. COM. REP. NO. 892

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1271

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1271, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage individuals to pursue careers in early childhood education.

Specifically, this measure establishes:

(1) A program to provide stipends to students enrolled in a University of Hawaii early education program;

(2) Requirements for stipend recipients to work in the field of early education after completion of coursework; and

(3) Repayment terms for individuals who do not fulfill the work requirements.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission, Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Kaulanakilohana, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Early Learning Board, and two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that providing an incentive for individuals to pursue careers in early childhood education will help to address a workforce shortfall, which has become a barrier to creating an effective statewide early childhood education system.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1271, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1271, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair