Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1389: RELATING TO THERAPY SERVICES.

Expands the scopes of practice for occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech pathologists to allow those professionals working for or contracted by the Department of Education to diagnose medical conditions that can be treated with their respective services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands therapy access within DOE, enabling faster diagnosis for student services under education-focused departments85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands therapists' diagnostic authority, improving patient access to therapy services without additional medical referrals, aligning with healthcare access indicators.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 838: RELATING TO TEACHERS.

Increases the bonus for teachers who achieve and maintain a current national board certification from $5,000 to $10,000. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $5,000 additional state funds for teacher bonuses, directly increasing public service funding allocation under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher bonus for national board certification from $5k to $10k, directly funding retention efforts and aligning with teacher support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 1585: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes and implements evidence-based performance metrics for the P-20 Partnerships for Education to allow better evidence-based assessments of the P-20 Partnerships for Education advisory council's workforce and pathway development programs. Requires reports to the Legislature. Authorizes the expenditure of Perkins V federal funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes Perkins V federal funds for P-20 education programs and establishes performance metrics to improve assessment of workforce/pathway development, directly advancing education funding and program effectiveness.95% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 616: RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Education and public charter schools to take certain steps to report incidents of harassment and implement procedures for handling harassment of educational workers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates reporting and procedures to protect educational workers from harassment, strengthening workplace safety for teachers per bill's explicit focus on protection.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates harassment reporting and safety procedures for educational workers, directly advancing workplace safety protections per bill subjects and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Employment Discrimination

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1934: RELATING TO LIBRARIES.

Requires the State Librarian to establish an Imagination Library of Hawaii Program to provide one free book each month to children from birth through five years of age who reside in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for Imagination Library program, directly increasing state budget allocation for public library services targeting children.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds to establish a free book program for children birth-5, directly enhancing early childhood educational access and literacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2172: RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRANTS.

Establishes a five-year pilot program to authorize the Department of Education to rehire retired teachers and educational officers for hard-to-staff positions. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates pilot program to rehire retired teachers for hard-to-staff positions, directly addressing staffing shortages in K-12 schools by leveraging experienced educators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1437: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

Establishes a general excise tax exemption on the gross proceeds or gross income received from sales of commodities or services that benefit nonprofit schools. Effective 1/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief to nonprofit schools via general excise tax exemption, aligning with tax relief indicators for support.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax exemption for nonprofit schools, reducing operational costs and supporting their funding capacity for educational services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1125: RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

Establishes an Early Learning Cooperative Program within the Department of Human Services. Establishes an Advisory Council to advise on the goals of the Early Learning Cooperative Program. Requires the Department of Human Services to secure federal funding through the Child Care and Development Block Grant for the administration of the Early Learning Cooperative Program. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt administrative rules. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Early Learning Cooperative Program, secures federal funding, mandates Advisory Council and reports to expand early childhood education access and support.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1997: RELATING TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

Authorizes the inclusion of provisions addressing individualized accommodations and supports during emergency situations and evacuations in individualized education programs and section 504 plans for students with disabilities. Requires support and guidance from the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes IEP accommodations during emergencies, ensuring safety and access for students with disabilities under IDEA, strengthening educational protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2846: RELATING TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

Authorizes the inclusion of language addressing individualized accommodations and supports during emergency situations and evacuations in individualized education programs for students with disabilities. Requires support and guidance from the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes emergency accommodations in IEPs for students with disabilities, enhancing safety and support within educational programs per IDEA requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track