This bill, signed into law as Act 234, aims to enhance the safety of educational workers in Hawaii, including teachers, staff, and sports officials, by establishing new protections against harassment. It requires the Department of Education and public charter schools to investigate harassment claims internally, report threats to law enforcement within 48 hours, and develop emergency safety plans and clear reporting procedures. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Attorney General to assist harassed workers in obtaining temporary restraining orders and grants eligible employees paid leave to attend related court proceedings. These measures are designed to create a more secure environment for educators by providing specific tools and resources to address harassment incidents.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on May 19, 2026, expands Hawaii's family leave protections to include military families. It directly affects employees who are spouses, children, siblings, parents, or other relatives of active-duty service members. The key provision adds "qualifying military exigency" as a valid reason for taking up to four weeks of unpaid family leave per year, aligning state law with federal standards. To use this leave, employees must provide their employer with official military orders as proof of the qualifying situation. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026.
Requires the State, Legislature, and counties to amend rules and policies to ensure that certain employees can transfer accrued vacation and sick leaves if rehired by the State or a county within one calendar year of separation under certain conditions. Extends the allowable break in service for purposes of determining certain state and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund from ninety calendar days to 180 calendar dars under certain conditions. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)
By 1/1/2027, 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 1/1/2028, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program.
SB 3082 authorizes eligible employees in the state to take family leave for qualifying military exigencies under existing state law. It directly affects employees whose spouses, children, or parents are on active military duty, allowing them to take time off for specific military-related situations like deployment-related events. The bill expands the state's family leave framework to include these military-specific circumstances without creating new leave categories. The legislation is currently in its early stages, having been introduced on January 26, 2026.
HB 219 would provide state and county employees in [State] with five days of paid leave each calendar year for family-related needs, such as caring for a newborn, sick family member, or other qualifying situations. The bill directly affects public employees working for state or county governments, offering them a concrete benefit to manage personal family responsibilities without losing pay. Currently pending in committee (LAB, CPC, FIN) and carried over to the 2026 session, it has not yet become law. This policy change would establish a new paid leave entitlement for these specific public-sector workers.
Establishes a paid family leave program for state and county employees. Authorizes a qualifying employee to take up to twelve weeks of paid leave for the birth or placement of a child or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition.
Requires the State, Legislature, and counties to amend rules and policies to ensure that certain employees can transfer accrued vacation and sick leaves if rehired by the State or a county within one calendar year of separation. Extends the allowable break in service for purposes of determining certain state and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund from ninety calendar days to one full year.
SB 638 requires most employers to provide employees with paid breaks during work shifts. It directly affects all covered employers and their employees in the state, mandating specific break periods as part of employment practices. The key provision is a straightforward requirement for employers to schedule and compensate these breaks, though the exact duration or frequency isn't detailed in the abstract. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.
HB 2510 creates an income tax credit for employers who provide paid family and medical leave to their employees. The bill directly affects businesses that offer this benefit, reducing their state income tax liability based on the leave provided. Key provisions establish a specific credit amount tied to the cost of providing paid leave, incentivizing employers to adopt such policies without mandating it. This policy change modifies tax incentives to encourage broader employer-sponsored leave coverage.
