STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2369

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2564

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2564 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Department of Education's resources for enrichment, athletics, culture, and health program to match federal dollars that the State receives for the 21st Century Community Learning Center.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, State Public Charter School Commission, Hawaii State Teachers Association, University of Hawai‘i System, Hawai‘i Afterschool Alliance, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that after-school programs provide important learning and enrichment opportunities for students while allowing parents to maintain employment. After-school programs keep students safe, offer additional learning support, and provide parents peace of mind that their children are constructively engaged.

Your Committee further finds that after-school programs are particularly needed for middle and intermediate school students. The intermediate years are important for reversing high school drop-out rates and ensuring students remain engaged in their education and community. The R.E.A.C.H. initiative, which stands for "resources for enrichment, athletics, culture, and health" was established in 2013 to meet the need for dedicated after-school programs for public middle and intermediate school students and uses a community-based approach. The R.E.A.C.H. initiative utilizes state funds and partners with schools, parents, and other community-based organizations.

Your Committee also finds that expanding funding for after-school programs represents an upfront investment in Hawaii's youth. With federal dollars already being invested in after-school programs, your Committee believes that now is the time to commit to expanding access to quality after-school programs for public middle and intermediate students.

Accordingly, this measure will promote learning and enrichment activities for middle and intermediate students across the State, while helping their parents maintain employment, by appropriating funds for the Department of Education's enrichment, athletics, culture, and health program to match certain federal moneys received by the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a blank appropriation amount; and

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

Your Committee notes that the estimated appropriation required for this measure is $6,123,398.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2564, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2564, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair