Hawaii House Bill HCR45

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/5/24
• Refer: 3/8/24

Caption

Requesting The Lieutenant Governor To Establish A Working Group To Consider Providing Child Care Services At The Hawaii State Capitol.

Impact

If HCR45 is enacted, it will create a formal mechanism to evaluate and potentially implement child care services at the state capitol. This initiative is aimed at enhancing public engagement by making it easier for working parents, including legislative employees, to participate in governmental processes. The working group will be tasked with assessing the resources required, methods for implementation, and potential locations within the capitol to offer child care services. This could lead to more inclusive legislative participation among families and caregivers in Hawaii.

Summary

HCR45 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the Thirty-Second Legislature of Hawaii, introduced in 2024. The resolution requests the lieutenant governor to establish a working group that would consider the provision of child care services at the Hawaii State Capitol. The bill highlights the rising costs of child care in Hawaii, which currently exceeds $13,000 per year, as a significant barrier for working parents. The lack of accessible and affordable child care services inhibits these parents from accessing social and economic opportunities, including participation in civic engagement and legislative processes.

Contention

The resolution reflects ongoing discussions about the significance of child care services in enabling civic engagement among working families. While it is expected to garner broad support due to its intention to support working parents, it may also face scrutiny regarding the feasibility, funding, and logistical aspects of establishing child care services within a government facility. The working group will be essential in addressing these concerns and providing a comprehensive report with recommendations to the legislature by a specified deadline.