HR 38 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MEET THE CRITERIA NECESSARY TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE CHEERLEADING AS A TITLE IX SPORT IN HAWAII.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education to officially recognize competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport, which would grant high school cheer athletes the same resources and protections as other varsity sports. The resolution requests that the state education department develop guidelines and safety standards in collaboration with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to meet federal criteria for classifying cheerleading as a sport. By doing so, the bill aims to ensure equitable access to certified coaching, athletic training, facilities, and transportation for female cheerleaders while promoting gender equity in school athletics. This is a non-binding resolution that calls for administrative action rather than creating new laws.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 12, 2026 Last action Apr 2, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Apr 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Resolution adopted in final form.
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1796-26), recommending adoption.
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Kapela, Olds; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 4 Excused: Representative(s) Garrett, Kila, Muraoka, Souza.
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to EDN, referral sheet 18
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Introduced
Offered
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced
To be offered.
lower
17 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors