HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	34
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the lieutenant governor to establish a working group to consider providing child care services at the hawaii State capitol.

WHEREAS, the average cost of full-time child care in Hawaii currently exceeds $13,000 per year; and

WHEREAS, the rising cost of child care and lack of access to adequate child care services prevents working parents from taking advantage of many social and economic opportunities, including opportunities for civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, strengthening public engagement is essential to ensuring that legislative outcomes reflect the needs of Hawaii's residents and working families; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature has adopted measures in recent years calling for the expansion of child care programs in public places; and

WHEREAS, some legislative employees are also working parents in need of child care assistance; and

WHEREAS, providing child care services at the Hawaii State Capitol would empower working parents and caregivers to participate more fully in the legislative process; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Lieutenant Governor is requested to establish a working group to consider providing child care services at the Hawaii State Capitol; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to:

(1) Evaluate opportunities for and possible methods of establishing child care services at the Hawaii State Capitol for members of the public and legislative employees;

(2) Determine the resources and funding that may be necessary to provide child care services at the Hawaii State Capitol; and

(3) Assess locations at the Hawaii State Capitol that may be used for the facilitation of child care services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members:

(1) The Lieutenant Governor, or the Lieutenant Governor’s designee;

(2) A member of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(3) A member of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to invite the following members:

(1) A representative from a nonprofit, public interest organization specializing in economic assistance for low-income individuals;

(2) A representative from a nonprofit public interest organization specializing in advocacy for children; and

(3) Other relevant stakeholders as recommended by the working group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report on establishing child care services at the Hawaii State Capitol, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii State Capitol; Child Care Services; Working Group; Lieutenant Governor