STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3539

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 209

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.R. No. 209 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ASSESS AND REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE WHETHER AND TO WHAT EXTENT EXISTING CURRICULUM AND TRAINING ALIGN WITH ERIN'S LAW,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Education to assess whether and to what extent the Department's existing child sexual abuse curriculum and training programs align with the requirements of Erin's Law.

Your Committee did not receive any testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that Erin's Law is an Illinois state law that has been adopted in a majority of states. Your Committee further finds that Erin's Law requires public schools to implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program that teaches age appropriate techniques for children to recognize sexual abuse and to tell a trusted adult. Your Committee additionally finds that while the Department of Education presently provides curricula and training programs related to preventing, recognizing, and responding to instances of child sexual abuse, it is unclear whether and to what extent the existing curriculum and programs align with the requirements of Erin's Law. Accordingly, this measure will promote awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse by requesting the Department to review and assess its current offerings in light of the prevention-oriented approach under Erin's Law.

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.R. No. 209 and recommends its adoption.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair