STAND. COM. REP. NO. 952

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 261

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 261, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Human Services to establish a Child Care Accreditation Program to support accreditation of licensed and registered child care providers;

(2) Delay the deadlines for existing Preschool Open Doors Program service providers to commence the accreditation process and obtain accreditation;

(3) Appropriate funds for the Child Care Accreditation Program; and

(4) Appropriate funds into and out of the Child Care Grant Program Special Fund for Child Care Accreditation Program grants.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Hawaii Council of Private Schools, Parents And Children Together, Hawai‘i Association for the Education of Young Children, and eleven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of the Attorney General, Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Learning Board, and Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 261, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair