Rep. Jenna Takenouchi

Appropriates funds to the judiciary for services contracted with community-based organizations that deliver essential services, streamline judicial processes, and support the judiciary's capacity to effectively meet the needs of vulnerable households.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities. Requires the Department to adopt rules.

Changes the allowed absence by a primary caregiver at a community care foster family home to 48 hours in calendar week with no absence longer than 24 consecutive hours.

Maddy summaryHB 2419 lowers the minimum age requirement for substitute caregivers in community care foster family homes from the current standard to 18 years. This change directly affects youth aged 18 who may serve as substitute caregivers in foster family settings. The bill modifies Department of Health rules to allow 18-year-olds to fill these roles, previously requiring a higher age. It represents a specific policy adjustment to caregiver eligibility without altering other foster care standards. The bill is currently in committee referral after introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 2588 establishes an American Sign Language (ASL) Program at the University of Hawaii and appropriates funding for its operation. The program directly affects University of Hawaii students and future ASL interpreters by providing dedicated educational resources. Key provisions include creating the program structure and allocating state funds for its implementation. This bill represents a concrete policy change to support ASL education at the university level.

Requires a condominium association to deposit at least ten per cent of all revenues for each fiscal year, except for estimated replacement reserve assessments, into the total replacement reserves fund of the association. Requires the Real Estate Commission to enforce the minimum deposit requirement and allows unit owners to file complaints with the Commission. Holds board members who fail to comply with the minimum deposit requirement personally liable and subject to a fine.

Repeals the Deposit Beverage Container program on 6/30/26. Allows redemptions to continue until 6/30/27. Establishes the solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling special fund to assist in the gathering and recycling of solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. Requires the Department of Health to submit proposed legislation establishing a program to gather and recycle solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. Lapses any unencumbered balance remaining in the deposit beverage container deposit special fund when the Deposit Beverage Container program is repealed to the credit of the solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling special fund.

Requires the Department of Human Services to conduct a study to recommend legislation to address the issue of long-term care facility closures. Requires reporting.

Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to establish a Community Action Center in Chinatown. Expenditure contingent upon the City and County of Honolulu providing matching funds. Appropriation.

Authorizes the use of conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in a habitat conservation plan and associated incidental take license. Amends the membership and scope of authority for the Endangered Species Recovery Committee.