Hawaii House Bill HR34

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

This resolution highlights the vital role that accessible child care services play in promoting public engagement and legislative participation. By aiming to provide child care at the State Capitol, it seeks to empower parents, especially those employed in legislative roles, to engage actively in the legislative process without the burden of finding suitable care for their children. This move aligns with recent legislative efforts to expand child care programs in public venues across Hawaii.

Summary

House Resolution 34 requests the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii to establish a working group that will explore the provision of child care services at the Hawaii State Capitol. The initiative stems from the recognition that the average cost of full-time child care in Hawaii exceeds $13,000 annually. Such costs can create barriers for working parents, preventing them from fully engaging in civic activities, including participation in legislative processes and public discourse.

Contention

The establishment of a working group to assess the feasibility and resources needed for child care services at the Capitol could open a dialogue on state support for child care solutions. Critics might raise concerns about the allocation of state resources towards this initiative, questioning the priorities of policymakers in balancing budgetary constraints with the pressing needs of working families. Notable discussions could emerge regarding the effectiveness of this initiative in alleviating the challenges posed by high child care costs and limited access.