Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1697: RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

HB 1697 exempts natural hair braiders from state licensing requirements when operating under specific conditions, directly affecting individuals who provide natural hair braiding services. The bill removes a barrier for braiders who meet defined criteria, such as operating in non-commercial settings or adhering to safety standards. This policy change simplifies access to the profession without requiring a state-issued license for qualifying practitioners. The bill is currently in early stages, having been prefiled and introduced in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves licensing barrier for natural hair braiders, lowering entry barriers to employment in this profession.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2360: RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

By 1/1/2029, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2030, requires the Department to begin receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program. Excludes paid family and medical leave benefits from income tax. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes payroll tax funding for family leave program and excludes benefits from income tax, providing tax relief while funding a new public program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state-funded medical leave insurance program, expanding coverage for healthcare-related absences under medical leave provisions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates mandatory paid family leave program with employee protections, expanding worker benefits and rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 815: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires the health benefits plan or plans established by the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund board to meet or exceed the requirements of the Prepaid Health Care Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health plans to meet/exceed Prepaid Health Care Act standards, strengthening coverage requirements and patient protections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employer-union health plans to meet/exceed Prepaid Health Care Act standards, strengthening worker benefits under labor-related trust funds.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1660: RELATING TO COUNTY LABOR STANDARDS.

Authorizes the counties to require contractors to disclose information regarding their employees' wages, benefits, hours, and employment status and deny, revoke, or suspend a building permit application for violating laws relating to wages, benefits, hours, and employment status, under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates contractor wage/benefit disclosure and permit penalties for violations, enforcing labor standards to protect workers' rights and compliance with employment laws.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 753: RELATING TO THE HOUSEHOLD AND DEPENDENT CARE SERVICES TAX CREDIT.

Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. Extends the sunset date of the temporary increase in maximum employment-related expenses that are used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit, established by Act 163, SLH 2023, to 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/3005. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands household care tax credit, increasing tax relief for middle/lower income families by raising applicable percentage and extending credit duration.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases tax credit for dependent care expenses, reducing financial barriers for workers needing childcare and supporting workforce participation through employment-related benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 755: RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

By 1/1/2028, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2029, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state family and medical leave insurance program, expanding coverage for medical leave to improve access to healthcare services and provide financial security during health-related absences.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes paid family leave insurance program, expanding worker benefits and protections under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 238: RELATING TO EARLY CHILD CARE.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and implement a Child Care Provider Subsidy and Bonus Program to provide subsidies to retain the existing child care workforce in licensed infant and toddler child care centers, group child care centers, and group child care homes and bonuses to registered family child care homes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds subsidies and bonuses to retain child care workers, directly supporting workforce stability and compensation in the labor sector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 327: RELATING TO STATE CHILDCARE.

HB 327 allocates state funds to create a childcare center for state employees and their families, managed by the Office of the Governor. The bill directs the Governor's office to establish this facility, which would provide childcare services directly to eligible state workers. It appropriates the necessary funding to operate the center, effective July 1, 3000 (a date likely intended as a placeholder). This policy change creates a new childcare resource specifically for state employees, without altering existing childcare programs or funding for other groups.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds to establish a new childcare center, directly increasing budget allocation for a public service program.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides state-funded childcare for employees, directly supporting workforce retention and work-life balance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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