Committee hears support for bill allowing diplomas for people whose schooling was interrupted by military service

House Bill 2298 would authorize the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to qualified persons whose education was interrupted due to compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services or wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.

Kelli Mae Douglas of the Defense State Liaison Office testified in support and stood on written testimony. Elizabeth Higashi from the Department of Education told the committee DOE "stands in support and is prepared to implement immediately once it is passed," and said costs would be minimal, limited mainly to printing diplomas.

The committee record also showed support from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, CARES and other community organizations. There were no substantive questions for DOE during the hearing.

No vote was taken; the committee deferred decision making to the next decision agenda. If adopted, the measure would create a mechanism for veterans and others whose schooling was interrupted by wartime service to receive recognition of completed secondary education through the Department of Education.

The bill will return to the committee’s decision agenda for disposition after staff follow up.