STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2908

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2293

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2293, S.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 require the Auditor to conduct an audit of the Department of Education to determine whether the Department is meeting its obligations under certain federal legislation.

 

     Specifically, the measure directs the Auditor to assess whether the Department is providing students with a free and appropriate public education that meets each student's individual educational needs as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and portions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and one individual.

 

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

 

     Your Committee finds that providing the resources and support needed to close the achievement gap between students with special needs and their general education peers is a priority for the State.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2293, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair