Establishes an Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force to develop guidelines and recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence in state public education. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Clarifies and strengthens the State's protections against sex-based harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation that occur in public schools, public charter schools, or at the University of Hawaii, including discrimination based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions. Establishes procedures for investigations and decision-making. Requires mandatory reporting by certain employees.
Requires the Department of Education to implement a plan for a Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei that shall be ready to educate students in grades kindergarten through 12 by the 2028-2029 school year. Appropriates moneys.
HB 471 requires the state Board of Education to create Korean language programs in public schools and allocates funding for these initiatives. The bill directly affects school districts, which would implement the programs, and students who would have access to Korean language learning opportunities. Key provisions include mandating the Board to establish the programs and providing dedicated state funds to support their development and operation. This is a substantive policy change focused on expanding language education options, not a procedural measure.
Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, requires each public school in the State, including charter schools, to employ, or retain under contract, at least one mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Education to contract for mental health professionals and to establish an unspecified number of full‑time equivalent mental health professional positions within the Department of Education.
Requires the Department of Education to include the instruction of braille and provision of braille instructional materials under certain circumstances; provide braille literacy support services; cooperate with the Department of Human Services when requested to submit information necessary to maintain a register of the blind in the State; provide comprehensive information about braille literacy services, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services, including educational programming options; and participate in the development of section 504 plans and individualized education programs. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
HB 1088 exempts housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) from school impact fees. This applies to new DHHL housing projects, removing a fee typically required to fund school infrastructure. The exemption takes effect on July 1, 3000, directly affecting DHHL developments by eliminating this cost. The bill focuses on modifying fee requirements for DHHL housing without altering other school funding mechanisms.
Beginning with the - school year, requires public elementary, middle, and high school classes to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Requires the Department of Education to adjust state-provided bus and school meal schedules accordingly.
Requires the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Health, to develop and distribute to each public middle and high school in the State guidelines for the establishment and operation of safe spaces for students to access telehealth services on school property during normal school hours. Requires each public middle and high school to establish and maintain a safe space for students according to the guidelines.
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.
