STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1379

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     H.B. No. 1329

        H.D. 1

        S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1329, H.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:

 

     (1)  Require the Department of Education to work with certain organizations to develop and implement an active shooter training program in all public schools under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education; and

 

     (2)  Exempt public school students from participation in an active shooter training program of the Department of Education.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Law Enforcement, State Public Charter School Commission, and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that providing increased security and training in Hawaii's schools can help create safer learning environments for students.  However, the majority of public schools in the State are constructed in a distinct open-air setting, which may pose an array of security concerns for school administrators and law enforcement.  While the Department of Education has collaborated with and continues to work with local and federal law enforcement and its contracted active shooter training vendor, the recent unprecedented increase in school shootings nationwide has created an urgent need to enhance the Department of Education's commitment to provide a robust active threat training program.  This measure creates additional safety measures for Department of Education schools to protect Hawaii's keiki.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that charter schools shall also be included in the Department of Education's active shooter training program; and

 

     (2)  Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1329, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1329, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair