STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1314

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 151

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 151 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, COMPLEX AREAS, AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT SCHOOL-WIDE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES IN THE STATE'S PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage the Department of Education, complex areas, and charter schools to implement school-wide restorative justice practices in Hawaii's public and charter schools.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Teran James Young Foundation, and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that studies show that suspension and expulsion, which are traditional methods of addressing disciplinary issues in schools, do not make schools safer and result in lower graduation rates and increased rates of involvement in the juvenile justice system, and expanding the school to prison pipeline. Studies have also shown that restorative justice practices can lead to reductions in problem behavior; improvements in school climate; and increases in student achievement, attendance, and graduation rates. This measure encourages restorative practices to be implemented in public and charter schools in the State to create positive learning environments in its schools. Your Committee believes that the aim of this measure should be to encourage the implementation of a comprehensive system of supports prior to youth becoming involved with the justice system, therefore the scope should be widened to "restorative practices" rather than restricted to "restorative justice practices". Therefore, amendments are necessary.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that restorative practices are to be implemented in the State's public and charter schools;

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 151, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 151, S.D. 1.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair