S.R. 184 Summary

• Urges the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a needs and gaps analysis examining COVID-19 pandemic impacts on programs serving the Third Senatorial District (Hawaii Island) in economy, healthcare, education, and public safety.

• Requires analysis to identify programs providing medical, economic, educational, and social services, including annual funding amounts, number of persons served disaggregated by race and gender, service limitations, data availability issues, and recommendations for service improvements.

• Directs submission of findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the 2022 Regular Session.

• Notes Hawaii Island had 1,836 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 44 deaths as of December 22, 2020, with higher than average rates of chronic absenteeism and below-grade-level performance in schools, plus limited rural healthcare infrastructure and broadband access.