STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1569

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 239

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 239, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

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 Department of Human Services, Executive Office on Early Learning, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Hawaii Council of Private Schools, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawai‘i Association of School Psychologists, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State requires service providers wishing to participate in the State's Preschool Open Doors Program to obtain accreditation from a national early learning accreditation organization. Service providers that have not obtained accreditation by July 1, 2022, must begin the process by no later than July 1, 2024, and obtain accreditation no later than July 1, 2029. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Human Services is required to provide operational and financial support to assist these service providers to obtain accreditation. This measure establishes a Child Care Accreditation Program within the Department of Human Services, extends accreditation process deadlines for the Preschool Open Doors Program, and appropriates funds to assist with the accreditation process, which will ensure that more service providers are able to offer high-quality, exceptional levels of care for young children in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Including the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools as an authorized accrediting organization for the Preschool Open Doors Program; 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 239, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 239, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair