This bill, signed into law as Act 148, establishes a formal process for relatives to become licensed resource family caregivers for children in Hawaii. It requires the state department to provide an application to any relative requesting foster placement within fifteen days and mandates that a license be issued only if the relative meets established standards and the child is actually placed with them. If a relative's application is denied due to failing to meet licensing standards, the department must provide specific reasons and an opportunity for an administrative appeal. However, if the relative meets all standards but the child is not placed with them, the bill removes the right to appeal the placement decision, though the relative retains the option to seek judicial review in family court.
This bill establishes a formal process for removing names from Hawaii's Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry under specific conditions. It creates a new definition for "harm" and sets rules where confirmed perpetrators can request expungement if the case is older than five years, does not involve aggravated circumstances, and has no subsequent reports. The law also clarifies that family courts have the authority to determine whether a report was correctly confirmed, ensuring that individuals can seek record removal through established legal channels.
This bill establishes a Business Revitalization Task Force within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study ways to improve Hawaii's economic competitiveness. The task force will include state agency directors, a university business dean, county economic development officials, and representatives from various industries such as construction, agriculture, and technology. Its primary goal is to identify methods to reduce regulatory and tax burdens that may be hindering business growth and self-employment in the state. The group is tasked with meeting regularly to analyze these issues and propose solutions without receiving compensation for their service.
This bill, known as Act 157, addresses a loophole in Hawaii's education system where teachers accused of serious misconduct can resign or retire before investigations conclude, thereby avoiding license revocation. The law mandates that any teacher who quits or retires while under investigation for sexual assault, sexual harassment, or physical abuse of a student must immediately forfeit their teaching license. Furthermore, the bill requires the state to report these license forfeitures to the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification database, ensuring that other states and private schools are aware of the individual's unlicensed status. By closing this gap, the legislation aims to prevent accused educators from continuing to work in schools across different jurisdictions and to protect students from potential harm.
This bill directs the State of Hawaii to create a comprehensive long-term care plan and establish a dedicated long-term care planner position within the government. The legislation aims to address the growing needs of the state's aging population by improving access to efficient and effective care services, particularly for seniors who wish to age in place at home. By formalizing these administrative structures, the act seeks to better manage the rising costs of care and support family caregivers while reducing reliance on expensive institutional facilities.
This bill, known as Act 154, is a procedural message from the Governor to the Hawaii Legislature confirming that he signed SB3305 into law on July 1, 2024. The actual policy change within the bill requires public charter schools that offer only prekindergarten programs to follow the rules in Chapter 302D of the state statutes. These specific schools are exempted from several other sections of the same chapter that apply to other types of charter schools. The law takes effect immediately upon the Governor's approval.
This bill, signed into law on July 1, 2024, amends Hawaii's transportation laws to increase penalties for driving without required motor vehicle insurance. It directly affects drivers who operate or register vehicles in the state without maintaining valid liability coverage. The key provision raises the fine for a first offense of driving without insurance to $500 and increases the fine for subsequent offenses within a five-year period to a minimum of $2,000. Additionally, the bill establishes that each violation is treated as a separate offense, with fines ranging from $100 to $5,000, and restricts the ability of courts to suspend these fines. These changes aim to address rising traffic fatalities and the financial burden on accident victims caused by repeat uninsured drivers.
This bill establishes a specific priority application period for Hawaii's Preschool Open Doors Program, running from February 1 until the start of each state fiscal year. During this window, the program will prioritize enrollment for children who are not yet eligible for kindergarten, followed by underserved or at-risk children, and then other three- and four-year-olds. Applications submitted after this priority period will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis for the rest of the fiscal year. The law amends existing statutes to clarify these selection rules and requires the state department to define "underserved or at-risk" status through established administrative rules.
This bill, known as Act 140, formally codifies the duties of the Department of Accounting and General Services within the State of Hawaii. The legislation requires the department to conduct financial audits of all state agencies, manage records and fleet acquisitions, and provide centralized technology services. A key provision mandates that all new light-duty vehicles purchased for the state fleet must be zero-emission vehicles starting January 1, 2022, with a requirement for all such vehicles to be zero-emission by January 1, 2030. The law also allows for exemptions if zero-emission vehicles are deemed too expensive or unsuitable for specific purposes.
This bill directs the Governor to sign Act 132, which establishes the Department of Law Enforcement in Hawaii to consolidate state criminal law enforcement and investigations. The law requires the department's director to investigate alleged violations when ordered by the Governor or when deemed in the public interest. Additionally, it grants the director the authority to issue subpoenas to witnesses and require the production of relevant documents and records during investigations. These new powers allow the department to compel testimony and evidence while outlining procedures for serving subpoenas and covering associated costs.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB2492 into law on July 1, 2024, to update state commercial driver's license rules. The primary change requires all applicants for commercial licenses or learner's permits to meet new federal qualification standards, including passing specific knowledge and driving skills tests. Additionally, the law mandates that test administrators must communicate with applicants only in English during skills evaluations and enforces stricter rules regarding medical certification and license validity periods.
This bill establishes a statewide registry to track individuals who have been found to have harmed students in Hawaii's preschool and K-12 schools. The registry will store personal details such as names, dates of birth, photographs, and addresses for employees, contractors, or volunteers who have received a final finding of guilt after an internal investigation. By sharing this information across all educational institutions, the law aims to prevent those individuals from obtaining employment or volunteer positions in other schools. The bill requires reporting institutions to confirm that due process was followed and that a final determination of harm was made before adding anyone to the list.
