STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3262

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1891

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1891, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Education to implement dyslexia sensitive linguistically appropriate universal screenings and evidence-based interventions, offer professional development on structured literacy and evidenced-based interventions, and support pre-teacher programs in training candidates in structured literacy instruction; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System; Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Special Education Advisory Council; Teach for America Hawaiʻi; HawaiiKidsCAN; The Reading League Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Early Childhood Action Strategy; American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Chapter; and thirty-six individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that an estimated fifteen to twenty percent of the school population has dyslexia, yet Hawaii remains the nation's only state without dyslexia-specific student support laws. Early identification of and intervention for dyslexia are critical to improving reading outcomes. Research demonstrates that students who are not reading proficiently by third grade face long-term academic challenges, which often lead to disengagement or behavioral issues. This measure will help to improve instructional quality systemwide and support more inclusive classrooms where students with diverse learning needs can succeed.

Your Committee notes the testimony by the Department of Education that it will pilot dyslexia-sensitive screeners in select schools in academic year 2026-2027 and implement statewide utilization of dyslexia-sensitive screeners in academic year 2027-2028. The Department testified that, based on the outcomes of its pilot project, each school will be allowed to select a dyslexia-sensitive screener for adoption from an approved list. Your Committee finds, however, that requiring statewide adoption of one dyslexia-sensitive screener would better promote consistent, accessible, systemwide utilization for enhanced educational equity. Your Committee further notes that reports from the Department of Education on the school-level implementation of dyslexia-sensitive screeners and related outcomes would increase accountability. Accordingly, your Committee respectfully requests that subsequent Committees to which this measure is referred consider these issues as this measure moves through the legislative process.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2055, to encourage further discussion; and

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

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 H.B. No. 1891, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1891, 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 Committee on Education,

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair