STAND. COM. REP. NO. 989-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1657

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1657, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require all public schools to implement universal screenings for students in kindergarten through third grade to identify students who are at risk of dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Disability and Communication Access Board; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Hawaiʻi State Literacy Coalition; HawaiiKidsCAN; Teach for America Hawaiʻi; ExcelinEd in Action; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

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. 1657, 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