STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3249

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2535

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2535, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a Child Care Classroom Contracts Pilot Program to require the Department of Human Services to contract directly with child care center providers in licensed infant and toddler child care centers and group child care centers that meet certain criteria;

(2) Require reports to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriate funds for a position to support the pilot program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Aloha United Way, Hui for Excellence in Education, Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Parents And Children Together, AAUW of Hawaii, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Save Medicaid Hawaii, Commit to Keiki, Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, Early Learning Board, and twenty-six individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that demand for high quality early learning programs are outpacing available enrollment in existing programs. Many families face months-long of waitlists, limiting the number of alternative arrangements for families. Additionally, providers have also experienced rising costs for child care programs, creating additional difficulties to increase capacity and meet demand. Therefore, this measure will provide support to Hawaii's youngest keiki and their families in pursuit of early learning and quality child care.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2535, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair