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House committees advance funding for high-school health-care training programs
Summary
Committees heard advocates describe high completion and employment outcomes for existing programs and moved HB714 HD1 forward after in-person testimony from education and industry groups.
A joint meeting of the House Committees on Education and on Economic Development and Technology advanced House Bill 714, HD1 on Feb. 13, moving the measure forward after testimony from Department of Education and multiple health-care organizations.
The bill would appropriate state funding for two years to continue and expand health-care workforce development programs that provide industry certifications to high-school students and support pathways for current nursing staff to earn higher credentials.
Wenel Kaneshiro, director of the workforce development branch at the Department of Education, testified "on behalf of superintendent Hayashi" and said, "We stand by written testimony and appreciate the opportunity to advance our health services programs of studies." Dennis Ling, representing the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, also said DBEDT "stands by its written testimony in support of this measure." Several provider groups and hospitals submitted or read in support testimony, including the Hawaii Health Care Association, Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association.
Speakers described program results from the most recent cohort: a speaker for the Hawaii Health Care Association said the programs served "more than 100 public high school students across 14 schools, achieving a 98% completion rate" and cited a 75% employment rate for that cohort. The same testimony said 34 CNAs enrolled in a glide-path program earned LPN licensure while working, "increasing their salaries by 50% and providing critical long term care support." Angela Melody Young, testifying for CARES, gave a classroom-level example from Waipahu High School of a high-school training program that prepares students for adult health-care roles.
Committee discussion clarified how the programs operate in high schools. Testifiers said students can receive industry certifications while in their senior year (for example, CNA, MA, phlebotomy) and that the programs include wraparound services such as help with applications and interviews. Program advocates described "glide paths" that allow CNAs to work while pursuing LPN training and later RN pathways; one speaker noted the NCLEX national exam is required for LPN/RN licensure and said market wages increase substantially at each step.
The committees adopted the chairs' recommendation to pass HB714 HD1 as presented and the recommendation was recorded as adopted. The measure will proceed with the committee reports required for further floor action.
Less central details: witnesses thanked DBEDT for administering parts of the program and named Maui Community College as a local glide-path partner. No change to statutory definitions or regulatory text was proposed during the hearing.
