HB 2168 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

Summary

Requires the Department of Education to establish a program for the support of students experiencing homelessness. Requires the Department to designate a state coordinator position and state navigator positions to implement the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Last action Mar 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB2168_HD1 → HB2168_HD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision strengthens protections for homeless students by clarifying that their right to attend school does not depend on having specific documents like birth certificates or immunization records. It adds a specific process allowing these students to attend school provisionally if immunization records are missing, ensuring they do not miss education while paperwork is being finalized. The bill also updates the effective date of the program from July 1, 3000, to July 1, 2026, and introduces a new 'state navigator' role to assist with implementation.

Scope change

The bill's applicability remains focused on students experiencing homelessness, but the scope of protection is broadened to explicitly include those lacking standard documentation and to cover unaccompanied youth more clearly.

ELIGIBILITY

Explicitly states that homeless students can choose their school regardless of missing documentation like birth certificates or immunization records.

REQUIREMENT

Introduces a provisional attendance process for homeless students who lack immunization records, allowing them to attend school while waiting for medical appointments.

Adds a new statutory requirement for the Department of Education to designate 'state navigator' positions to support the program.

TIMELINE

Updates the bill's effective date from July 1, 3000, to July 1, 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

Key actions

Committee

Mar 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDU, WAM.

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 190).

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso, Sayama excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 605-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Amato, Hartsfield.

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 77-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to HSH.

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Souza; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Muraoka; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDN, HSH, FIN, referral sheet 5

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

30 primary · 0 co-sponsors