STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3596

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 78

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 S.C.R. No. 78 entitled:

"SENATE 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 Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus, Imua Alliance, Alliance for Period Supplies, What Makes You Feel Beautiful, and fifteen individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that inconsistent health education continues to stifle progress toward achieving period equity, and some students lack confidence in managing their menstrual cycle and its symptoms, even with free products. Research and best practices indicate that inclusive menstrual education can reduce misinformation, promote self-confidence, and help students better manage their health. This measure aligns with the State's commitment to equity, inclusion, and access to care by addressing a topic that has historically been overlooked or stigmatized, often resulting in negative academic and social outcomes for students.

Your Committee notes that menstrual health education is often inconsistent, incomplete, or introduced too late, leaving many students unprepared for a normal biological process and contributing to stigma, embarrassment, and misinformation. Schools should play a critical role in ensuring that all students receive standardized, accurate, age-appropriate, and preemptive health education. Your Committee believes that menstrual health should be included as a standard component of a comprehensive health education. Because many students receive little or no information about menstruation before their first period, your Committee 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 empower and help promote consistent attendance, participation, and academic success as students progress through their educational careers.

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 S.C.R. No. 78, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 78, S.D. 1.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair