STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3522

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.C.R. No. 88

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 88 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE SHADED PLAY AREAS IN PLANS FOR ALL NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND TO ESTABLISH AND PHASE IN A PLAN TO PROVIDE SHADED PLAY AREAS ON THE GROUNDS OF ALL EXISTING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BY 2011,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Education to include shaded play areas in its plans for all new elementary schools and to establish and phase-in a plan to provide shaded play areas at all existing elementary schools by 2011.

 

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Hawaii State Teachers Association and one individual.  Testimony in opposition of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education.

 

     Your Committee finds that research indicates that exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light presents an increased risk for the occurrence of skin cancer, which is the most common form of all cancers.  The risk is further exacerbated for children who are exposed to ultraviolet light at an early age.  Your Committee further finds that while children are in school, the State must provide not only an appropriate public education, including proper instruction and opportunities to participate in physical education, but also the proper protection from harmful elements, including the sun, while in school and participating in outdoor activities.  This measure requests the Department of Education to develop a plan for including shaded play areas in all public elementary schools by the year 2011. 

 

     Testimony provided indicated that the inclusion of shaded play areas in all public elementary schools may not be the most prudent course of action in terms of the Department of Education's priorities, which includes protecting students from harm while in school.  While your Committee understands that necessary funding, time, and resources must be focused on the provision of a proper education, including adequate facilities, teachers, and supplies, the establishment of a model or guidelines would allow independent groups to furnish shaded play areas at public schools to protect students from the harmful effects of sun exposure.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting language requesting the Department of Education to develop a plan for including shaded play areas in all public elementary schools by the year 2011;

 

     (2)  Requesting the Department of Education to develop a prototype model or guidelines for schools, community groups, or volunteer organizations to follow when installing or creating shaded play areas at public schools, and changing the title of the measure to reflect such request; and

 

     (3)  Requesting the Department of Education to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009.

 

     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. 88, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 88, S.D. 1.

 


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

 

 

 

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair