STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3239

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2401

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Labor and Technology and Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2401, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Special Education Advisory Council, and two individuals.

Your Committees find that as students transition from high school to their post-secondary plans, the Department of Education offers the new graduates various supports during the summer following their graduation, including college and career advising, training, and internships. Your Committees also find that without workers' compensation coverage, employers may be discouraged from hosting new high school graduates as interns due to liability concerns. Therefore, this measure will promote participation of more employers in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs by providing recent high school graduates with worker's compensation while participating in these programs during the summer after graduation.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Labor and Technology and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2401, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2401, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Labor and Technology and Education,

________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair

________________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair