Education

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2125: RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING.

Allows the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires that unlicensed teachers hired on an emergency basis make continuous and verifiable progress toward satisfying licensing requirements. Sunsets on 6/30/2031, but provides that unlicensed emergency hires employed before the sunset date may continue employment for up to five years from their hiring date, under certain conditions. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves 3-year limit for unlicensed teachers while requiring progress toward licensure, supporting teacher retention and professional development in education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 37: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires all public and private schools that serve students in grades 6 through 12 and issue student identification cards to have information on mental health and suicide prevention hotlines printed on the student identification cards. Establishes exceptions and penalties.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires mental health/suicide prevention info on student IDs in K-12 schools, supporting student well-being and school safety protocols.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires schools to include mental health/suicide prevention hotlines on student IDs, directly expanding access to critical mental health resources for students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 2391: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Provides annual salary step increases for public schools and public charter school teachers who have completed one year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements, if negotiated into a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 89-9, HRS, and subject to funds appropriated by the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides annual salary increases for public school teachers under collective bargaining, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides annual salary increases for teachers via collective bargaining, directly advancing wages and labor rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Teachers Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3117: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by authorizing diplomas for veterans interrupted by military service in specific wars, directly advancing access to educational credentials.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes diplomas for veterans interrupted by military service, recognizing service and expanding educational benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 34: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Department of Education to identify an absence due to the mental health of a student as an excused absence. Defines the term "excused absence". Exempts an absence due to the mental health of a student from the enforcement of penalties relating to compulsory attendance at school. Limits the number of excused absences that may be taken by a student due to mental health reasons.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts mental health absences from attendance penalties, supporting student access to education by removing barriers to attendance without punitive measures.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allows mental health absences without penalty, supporting student access to care by removing attendance barriers related to mental health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 91: RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

Establishes a homeless student stability program and homeless student housing resource program within the University of Hawaii. Establishes a minimum of one benefits navigator position at each University of Hawaii System campus and a position within the University of Hawaii System to coordinate campus positions and initiatives. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to establish homeless student stability/housing programs and benefits navigators at University of Hawaii, directly supporting student basic needs and educational access in higher education.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes homeless student housing resource program with funding, directly addressing housing instability for vulnerable students through dedicated programs and appropriations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Homelessness

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 443: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Appropriates funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for retention/internship coordinators and enrollment initiatives at UH Hilo, directly supporting student success and university operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 663: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to establish eight full-time equivalent (8.0 FTE) agricultural technician positions and four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) community coordinator positions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for UH college positions (agricultural technicians, community coordinators), directly funding higher education infrastructure and personnel at a university college.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1634: RELATING TO EDUCATION EQUITY.

Requires the Department of Education to permit the participation of eligible homeschooled students in public high school extracurricular activities, subject to certain requirements and limitations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for homeschooled students by mandating public school extracurricular participation, directly addressing equity in education access per bill title and subjects.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2530: RELATING TO TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIOS.

Requires the Board of Education and collective bargaining units to calculate student-to-teacher ratios for class sizes according to a prescribed method to promote quality education and positive student-teacher interactions. Informs parents if changes to class sizes are needed.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates calculating student-to-teacher ratios to promote quality education and positive interactions, directly supporting teacher-student dynamics and educational quality without ambiguity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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