Part I: Requires the Department of Education and state public charter schools to take certain steps to better address the harassment of educational workers, including sports officials. Authorizes the Attorney General to assist educational workers, including sports officials at department of education or public charter school sporting events, who have been subject to harassment or intentional bodily injury in obtaining a temporary restraining order. Part II: Includes the intentional, knowing or reckless disruption or interference with a school function, school administration, or school board under the offense of harassment. Makes harassment to an educational worker, including sports officials, engaged in the performance of their duty a misdemeanor. (CD1)
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. (CD1)
Authorizes an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination and refer an injured employee for the examination without first obtaining permission from the employee's employer in order to assess the employee's ability to return to work. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. (CD1)
Repeals the authorization of a physician to transmit a treatment plan by mail or facsimile and the requirement that the physician submit the plan to an address or facsimile number provided by the employer. Requires an employer to file a response, either accepting or objecting to a treatment plan, within ten days of receipt. Imposes a monetary penalty if an employer does not file a response within the ten-day period, unless there was good cause for the delay. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file certain documents within the ten-day period. Imposes penalties on employers found to have improperly denied a treatment plan. (CD1)
Establishes a two-year pilot project to authorize public employers to petition for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against employment-related harassment of certain public employees. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (CD1)
Repeals the sunset provisions of Act 236, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, thereby making permanent the requirement that the Department of Transportation ensure that the securing of mooring lines from vessels to commercial docks, wharves, piers, quays, and landings be performed by labor subject to collective bargaining. (CD1)
SB 2876 would exempt natural hair braiders from state licensing requirements when they meet specific conditions. This bill directly affects individuals who practice natural hair braiding as a profession, removing a mandatory licensing barrier they currently face. The key provision eliminates the need for a state license for braiders operating under defined circumstances outlined in the bill. The policy change focuses on simplifying regulatory requirements for this specific service.
Clarifies the process for selecting a certified provider of vocational rehabilitation services. Requires certified providers to automatically approve vocational rehabilitation services for an injured employee if those services will likely be required for suitable gainful employment and the initial evaluation report finds the injured employee feasible to participate. Requires providers to file an employee's vocational rehabilitation plan no later than one hundred twenty days after submitting an initial evaluation report, unless extended by the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations. Clarifies the process for an employer to object to a vocational rehabilitation plan. (CD1)
Repeals the requirement that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations regulate hoisting machines and certify their operators and the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, including its rules requiring a separate state crane operator certificate. Allows additional time for the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to complete an investigation of a discharge or discrimination complaint pertaining to employees exercising rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Law without formal extension. (HD2)
Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (11) and their excluded counterparts, including health premium payments and the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027.
