THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	20
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of education and department of commerce and consumer affairs to consider alternative program structures for the licensing of private trade, vocational, and technical schools.

 

 

     WHEREAS, licensure of private trade, vocational, and technical schools in the State of Hawaii has been administered by the Department of Education since 1939, generally, and since 1996, specifically pursuant to Act 89, Session Laws of Hawaii 1996, as amended; and

 

     WHEREAS, private trade, vocational, and technical schools provide the critical training ground and curriculum for a number of professional schools in areas including massage therapy, healthcare training, tax preparation, maritime activities, and various other trades and vocations; and

 

     WHEREAS, a number of currently licensed private trade, vocational, or technical schools in the State of Hawaii require a form of state licensure in order for students to be eligible for receipt of federal financial aid or to participate in other types of federal educational assistance; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education does not have the current capacity or understanding of the specialized curricula of the various private trade, vocational, and technical schools currently under its licensing jurisdiction to effectively administer the requirements of Act 89, Session Laws of Hawaii 1996, as amended; and

 

     WHEREAS, a number of trades and vocations now receive state licensure for business operations through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; and

 

     WHEREAS, the possible impact on existing schools and students that would result from the establishment of alternative licensing program structures for the various private trade, vocational, and technical schools in the State requires further consideration, including any potential fee increases from changes to the Department of Education's long-standing licensing fee structure that would result from a program restructuring; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature is committed to improving the licensure process for private trade, vocational, and technical schools in the State of Hawaii, which may include the establishment of alternative licensure structures or models;

now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that the Department of Education and Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with existing licensed private trade, vocational, and technical schools in the State of Hawaii, to review the State's current licensing program for private trade, vocational, and technical schools established pursuant to Act 89, Session Laws of Hawaii 1996, as amended, and to consider alternative licensing program structures or models that are in the best interest of private trade, vocational, and technical schools and for students in the State of Hawaii; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Department of Education submit a report of their findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Private Trade, Vocational, and Technical Schools; Licensing; Department of Education; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs