STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1789

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 961

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase access to early learning.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Appropriates moneys into and out of the preschool open doors special fund for the preschool grant program, to fill new temporary positions to support the Preschool Open Doors Program and to address data governance issues as required by law;

(2) Provides greater flexibility for accreditation of service providers;

(3) Expands access to early learning public prekindergarten programs; and

(4) Authorizes the preschool open doors special fund to receive federal funds.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, University of Hawaii, Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Learning Board, HE‘E Coalition, Parents and Children Together, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools, and four individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Budget and Finance, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Commit to Keiki, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that expanding access to childcare and preschool will help to prepare children to attend kindergarten and create opportunities for their parents and families to return to the workforce.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair