STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2333

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3305

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 3305 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require all public charter schools that offer prekindergarten programs exclusively to adhere to the provisions of chapter 302D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, with certain exceptions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, State Public Charter School Commission, and Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!.

Your Committee finds that the demand for high quality prekindergarten programs is outpacing available enrollment in existing programs. In 2023, the State established the Ready Keiki Initiative, led by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, to prioritize the expansion and accessibility of prekindergarten programs to provide affordable programs for Hawaii's youngest keiki. This measure continues the mandate established by the Ready Keiki Initiative while ensuring effective operations at the State's public prekindergarten charter schools.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3305 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 Education,

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair