Report Title:

Constitutional Amendment; Private and Sectarian Schools

Description:

Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to allow grants to be made to enable children to attend not-for-profit private and sectarian grade schools and secondary schools if eligibility for the grants has been determined in a nondiscriminatory manner.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

888

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Proposing an amendment to article x, section 1 of the HAWAII STATE constitution.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to propose an amendment to article X, section 1, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to allow grants to be made to enable children to attend not-for-profit private and sectarian elementary schools and secondary schools if eligibility for the grants has been determined in a nondiscriminatory manner on the basis of neutral, secular criteria, and if the children are required, by law, to attend school, either public, private, or sectarian.

SECTION 2. Article X, section 1, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:

"PUBLIC EDUCATION

Section 1. The State shall provide for the establishment, support and control of a statewide system of public schools free from sectarian control, a state university, public libraries and such other educational institutions as may be deemed desirable, including physical facilities therefor. There shall be no discrimination in public educational institutions because of race, religion, sex or ancestry; nor shall public funds be appropriated for the support or benefit of any sectarian or private educational institution, except that [proceeds]:

(1) Proceeds of special purpose revenue bonds authorized or issued under section 12 of Article VII may be appropriated to finance or assist[: 1. Not-for-profit] not-for-profit corporations that provide early childhood education and care facilities serving the general public; and [2. Not-for-profit] not-for-profit private nonsectarian and sectarian elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and universities[.]; and

(2) Grants may be made to enable children to attend not-for-profit private and sectarian elementary schools and secondary schools, provided that eligibility for the grants has been determined in a nondiscriminatory manner on the basis of neutral, secular criteria, and provided further that the children are required, by law, to attend school, either public, private, or sectarian."

SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:

SECTION 4. Constitutional material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New constitutional material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

INTRODUCED BY:

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