Hawaii Bills

This bill establishes a new program within Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to recognize businesses that create dementia-friendly environments. To qualify for this recognition, businesses must provide one-hour dementia training to all current employees, after which they receive a website badge and a physical decal for their location. The program aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia while supporting customers and fostering a capable workforce. Funding of $90,000 is allocated for the first fiscal year to launch and administer the initiative, with a list of certified businesses made available online for families and individuals with dementia.

This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on July 13, 2026, modifies how school impact fees are applied to residential developments in Hawaii to address housing costs. It directly affects developers and housing projects by expanding exemptions from these fees for smaller developments with fewer than 500 units, affordable housing, and other specific property types. The legislation also clarifies the procedures for paying fees in lieu of land dedications and removes previous reporting requirements while reorganizing related fee accounts. Ultimately, the act aims to reduce financial barriers for smaller housing projects while maintaining contributions from larger developments that significantly increase school enrollment.

This bill establishes a one-year pilot program called KupunAloha to provide in-home health care and support services to elderly individuals in Hawaii who cannot afford care and do not qualify for existing government assistance. The Department of Health will manage the program by creating care plans for eligible applicants, contracting with healthcare providers, and setting specific income and need criteria, while excluding those already covered by Medicaid or other aid. A total of $2 million is appropriated from state general revenues to fund the initiative, which is authorized to run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Before the program ends, the Department of Health must submit a report to the legislature evaluating its effectiveness and offering recommendations on whether to make the program permanent.

This bill, signed into law as Act 248, establishes safety rules for artificial intelligence companies operating in Hawaii, specifically targeting chatbots and companion-style systems. It requires these platforms to clearly and visibly inform users that they are interacting with an AI rather than a human, with stricter disclosure rules for minors that include hourly reminders to take breaks. Additionally, the law mandates that AI operators create protocols to respond to users expressing suicidal thoughts or self-harm by directing them to professional crisis intervention services. By amending the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislation aims to protect consumers from deceptive design practices and potential harm without requiring technology companies to collect personal identity data for age verification.

This bill updates the Hawaii Community College Promise Program to better align with recent federal financial aid regulations. It directly affects students enrolled at University of Hawaii community colleges by changing how their scholarship awards are calculated. Under the new rules, grants, scholarships, and other funding sources will no longer be subtracted from the program's award amount, allowing students to use those funds for indirect costs like housing and food instead. The legislation ensures that eligible students can receive scholarships covering ninety-five percent of their unmet direct cost needs while complying with federal guidelines.

This bill prohibits companies that make smart home security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless specific conditions are met. Data sharing is only allowed if the user gives written consent, a judge issues a warrant, or an immediate emergency involving imminent death or serious bodily harm exists. The law also bans companies from forcing users to agree to data sharing as a requirement to use their devices. Violations of these rules can result in penalties and legal action by the state attorney general, but private individuals cannot sue under this specific section.

This bill, signed into law as Act 233, establishes a framework for automatic annual salary increases and longevity steps for public school teachers in Hawaii who complete satisfactory years of service. The legislation requires that these pay raises be negotiated into collective bargaining agreements and explicitly conditions their implementation on the legislature appropriating specific funds to cover the costs. By linking compensation adjustments to future budget approvals, the bill aims to address teacher retention while maintaining legislative control over public spending.

This bill, signed into law as Act 242, requires Hawaii's public schools to improve reading outcomes for students by addressing dyslexia and language challenges. Starting in the 2028-2029 school year, schools must administer specific screening tests to all students in kindergarten through third grade and any new students entering the system. The law also mandates that schools provide evidence-based interventions for identified students, offer professional development for teachers on structured literacy instruction, and update pre-service training for future educators. These measures aim to ensure all students receive the support needed to achieve reading proficiency by graduation.

This document is a formal notification from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature stating that he signed House Bill 2296 into law on July 13, 2026. The bill itself, titled Act 236, amends state statutes to establish that the price of school meals must be set so that sales revenue covers at least one-quarter of the cost of preparing those meals. It also allows for annual price adjustments based on previous costs and requires the department to offer lower rates or free meals to children based on economic need. Additionally, the law includes a provision allowing the governor to modify specific rules if necessary to avoid jeopardizing federal funding, with such changes subject to legislative review.

This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on July 14, 2026, amends Hawaii's insurance regulations to change how often the state examines captive insurance companies. Under the new rules, most captive insurance companies must be examined within five years of licensure, but from 2027 until the end of 2031, the insurance commissioner has the discretion to decide whether to conduct further exams. Starting January 1, 2032, the requirement for a mandatory examination every five years will be reinstated for all captive insurance companies. Risk retention captive insurance companies are treated differently, requiring an initial exam within three years of formation and then every five years thereafter. The legislation also mandates that the insurance commissioner submit a report to the legislature by 2031 to evaluate the effectiveness of this temporary discretionary examination period.

This bill, signed into law as Act 234, aims to enhance the safety of educational workers in Hawaii, including teachers, staff, and sports officials, by establishing new protections against harassment. It requires the Department of Education and public charter schools to investigate harassment claims internally, report threats to law enforcement within 48 hours, and develop emergency safety plans and clear reporting procedures. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Attorney General to assist harassed workers in obtaining temporary restraining orders and grants eligible employees paid leave to attend related court proceedings. These measures are designed to create a more secure environment for educators by providing specific tools and resources to address harassment incidents.

This bill establishes the Hawaii Braille Literacy Education Act to improve educational access for students with low vision or blindness. It requires the Department of Education to provide braille instruction and materials, offer literacy support services, and collaborate with other agencies to maintain a state register of the blind. The law also mandates that the department share information about assistive technology and participate in creating individualized education plans for affected students.