House committee approves study on developmental needs of children born during COVID-19

The House Committee on Human Services & Homelessness on April 10 approved SCR 73 SD1, requesting the Office of Wellness and Resilience develop a report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measure passed after proponents said the study will produce evidence-based, community-informed recommendations. Trina Orimoto, representing the Office of Wellness and Resilience, told the committee, "We stand in support of this measure" and said the office is "excited for the opportunity to collaborate with local researchers to develop evidence based and community formed recommendations to address this issue for our community."

The nut graf: Supporters said children who were ages 0–5 during the pandemic may face lasting developmental and mental-health effects, and that a formal review could identify supports for those children and for teachers who will work with them in coming years.

Committee members and outside testifiers highlighted past natural disasters as compounding stress for some families. K. Daniel Goya, a former schoolteacher and trauma-informed care trainer, testified in support and said the need is "very dire in our communities," noting children who experienced both volcanic eruptions and the pandemic or the Maui wildfires and the pandemic may face compounded trauma.

Committee discussion included a technical wording concern about the resolution’s draft language. A committee member asked that the phrase "climate crisis" on page 2, line 5 be changed to "natural disasters;" that member said they would vote "with reservations" if the measure were adopted without that amendment. Other members spoke in support of the study and of centering trauma-informed care for communities affected by prolonged disaster events such as the Kilauea eruption.

The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the resolution as submitted. The roll call included a mix of recorded "aye" votes and at least two members who voted "with reservations." The committee recorded votes by Chair (aye), Assisting Chair (aye), Representative Amato (aye), Representative Chen (aye), Representative Takenouchi (aye), Representative Alcos (with reservations), and Representative Garcia (with reservations). The clerk reported the chair’s recommendation was adopted.

The resolution directs the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop a report; the office said it will collaborate with local researchers and community partners. The measure notes an identical measure, HCR 139, previously passed through this committee.

Looking ahead, supporters said the study’s findings could inform policy or funding requests in future legislative sessions, but no specific appropriation or implementation plan was included in SCR 73 SD1 itself.