STAND. COM. REP. NO. 580

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 850

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 Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 850 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for one twelve-month complex area trauma-informed resource teacher permanent position and one district educational specialist II permanent position for the Castle-Kahuku complex area.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Growing Pono Schools, Pacific American Foundation, He‘eia Elementary School, Le Jardin Academy, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Office of Wellness and Resilience. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that it is important to continue to support the incorporation of trauma-informed education in the State's public education system. Your Committee further finds that, in 2021, the Legislature established a trauma-informed education program and appropriated funds for two positions to expand trauma-informed education and care in the Ko‘olaupoko region. Over the past year, numerous students, faculty, and community members have been positively impacted by this trauma-informed education program. Educators and other school faculty were able to also receive training on trauma awareness and have learned skills to recognize behavior that results from exposure to trauma through the education program. Your Committee believes that establishing and funding permanent positions to maintain the trauma-informed education program will continue to bring positive impacts to the community and allow students and families to engage in culturally informed, place-based restorative practices.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000; and

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

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 H.B. No. 850, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 850, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair