STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1726

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1329

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. 1329, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support the development of active shooter training in the State's public and charter schools.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Education to work with certain organizations to develop and implement an active shooter training program in all public and charter schools under the jurisdiction of the Department; and

(2) Exempts public and charter school students from participating in the active shooter training program developed by the Department.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education and four individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the State Public Charter School Commission.

Your Committee finds that the open-air settings of many of the State's public and charter schools pose security concerns for school administrators and law enforcement. The active shooter training program required by this measure will help ensure that the State's schools are more prepared to effectively address an active shooter threat.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting the words "under the jurisdiction of the department" to avoid any confusion or uncertainty about the schools to which the measure applies, as recommended in testimony from the State Public Charter School Commission;

(2) Clarifying that public and charter school students may decline to participate in active shooter training; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 1329, 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. 1329, 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