Education (Early Childhood)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 712: RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM.

SB 712 expands eligibility for the state's Preschool Open Doors Program, allowing more preschool programs to participate. It removes a requirement that providers must be accredited, simplifying access for eligible preschools. This change directly affects preschool programs seeking to join or continue in the state-funded initiative. The bill aims to increase program availability by lowering administrative barriers for providers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves accreditation barrier, expanding preschool program access and availability under state-funded initiative, directly increasing educational access for early childhood programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3299: RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM.

Clarifies that the Preschool Open Doors Program is open to all children, including children in foster care, who meet the eligibility requirements of the program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies preschool program eligibility to include foster children, expanding access to early education for vulnerable youth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Tags Children

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 429: RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

HB 429 allocates state funds to hire teachers and teacher assistants and purchase equipment and services for public preschool programs. It directly affects public preschools by providing resources to improve staffing levels and facility capabilities. The bill becomes effective on July 1, 2050, after legislative approval. The measure passed committee with amendments in February 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds for preschool teacher hiring, equipment, and services to improve staffing/facility capabilities, directly advancing early education access and resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 426: RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to support service providers in state-approved apprenticeships, directly advancing early childhood education access and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 574: RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM.

Allows children having a parent or guardian who is a public school teacher to have priority for enrollment in the Executive Office on Early Learning public prekindergarten program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes enrollment for children of public school teachers in pre-K, directly supporting educator access and family needs within early education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 549: RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds early learning apprenticeship program for providers, supporting educational access and workforce development in early education through appropriations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 580: RELATING TO THE SCHOOL FACILITIES AUTHORITY.

Clarifies that the School Facilities Authority is responsible for certain development, planning, and construction projects for prekindergarten, preschool, and child care facilities, as well as workforce housing. Allows the School Facilities Authority to use the Department of Education for certain recruitment and hiring responsibilities. Allows the School Facilities Authority to partner with public and private development agencies to develop prekindergarten facilities. Exclude School Facilities Authority Board workgroups and subcommittees from the Sunshine Law, except as it relates to permitted interactions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies School Facilities Authority's role in developing prekindergarten facilities and partnerships, enhancing infrastructure for early education access and school development projects.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes workforce housing under School Facilities Authority's development responsibilities, advancing housing projects within its mandate.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Affordable Housing Property Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3189: RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

SB 3189 allocates state funds to the State Public Charter School Commission specifically for prekindergarten-only public charter schools. This bill directly affects those schools by providing dedicated funding for their operations. The key mechanism is a state appropriation to support early childhood education programs within this specific school type. It does not change eligibility rules or create new programs, only funding existing preK-only charter schools through the Commission. The bill is currently in committee referral after its initial introduction and first reading.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state appropriation ($50M) specifically for prekindergarten charter schools' operations, directly funding essential early education programs under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to preK-only charter schools for early learning programs, directly funding existing educational services without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Early Childhood School Choice

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2399: RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

HB 2399 appropriates state funds to the State Public Charter School Commission specifically for prekindergarten-only public charter schools. This bill directly affects prekindergarten-only public charter schools by providing them with dedicated state funding through the Commission. The key mechanism is a budget allocation for operational support, without changing eligibility rules or student enrollment requirements. The bill is currently in early stages, having been introduced on January 27, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds to prekindergarten charter schools via Commission, directly funding public education programs under Budget & Taxes category.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds to prekindergarten public charter schools, directly increasing funding and supporting early education access without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Choice

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2567: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

HB 2567 establishes a dedicated Early Childhood Education Investment Special Fund to finance early childhood education programs. The bill appropriates state funds into this special account, ensuring dedicated budgeting for eligible early childhood services. This fund will be managed by the state government to support programs serving young children, though specific eligibility criteria aren't detailed in the abstract. The bill passed its first reading in January 2026 and is now under review by education and finance committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state fund for early childhood education via appropriations, directly funding public services through fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated Early Childhood Education Investment Special Fund with state appropriations, directly advancing educational access and funding for young children's programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Early Childhood

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