STAND. COM. REP. NO. 687-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2248

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2248, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the definition of "private school" under the State's compulsory attendance law to require unlicensed but accredited private schools to annually submit health and safety documentation to the Hawaii Council of Private Schools or the Hawaii Catholic Schools Office.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and Hawaii Catholic Schools.

Your Committee finds that licensed schools in the State must submit annual verifications of health and safety information documents required by various state and county agencies. However, schools that are accredited but not licensed are not required to submit these annual verifications. Rather, this documentation is only verified during reaccreditation visits every five to ten years. This measure increases transparency and accountability in the operation of private schools and helps ensure that private schools follow best practices regarding student health and safety.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2248, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair