STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3872

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 118

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.C.R. No. 118, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND TO ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE MENSTRUAL CYCLE CURRICULUM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Education to take immediate action to strengthen menstrual health education initiatives in the State's schools.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi, Winning Edge Women's Leadership, Menstrual Equity Initiative, and eight individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that inconsistent and insufficient menstrual health education in schools undermines health equity and facilitates the spread of misinformation. Age-appropriate, accurate education about the menstrual cycle has been proven to improve health outcomes, support self-confidence, and reduce barriers to overcoming period poverty and menstrual health inequities. This measure seeks to improve menstrual health education to reduce stigma, foster inclusion, and empower informed health decisions, thereby ensuring that all students can participate fully in school environments.

Your Committee heard the companion to this measure, S.C.R. No. 78, and reiterates its sentiment that inconsistent, incomplete, or delayed menstrual health education leaves many students unprepared for a normal biological process and contributes to stigma, embarrassment, and misinformation. Schools have the critical responsibility of ensuring that all students receive standardized, accurate, age-appropriate, and preemptive health education. Many students, however, receive little or no information about menstruation before their first period. Additionally, existing Department of Education policy allows schools to decide which grade level within a set range will cover menstrual health education, contributing to potentially harmful knowledge gaps among peers of the same age group. Your Committee therefore requests that the Department of Education consider standardizing an appropriate timeline for menstrual health curriculum introduction, such as instruction commencing in the third or fourth grade, to promote consistent participation and academic success for students.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 118, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 118, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair