Rep. Amy Perruso

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 109) clarifies that parental consent is not legally required for publishing student names or photos in school-sponsored student media (like yearbooks or newspapers). It directs Hawaii's Department of Education to update its Student Publication/Audio/Video Release Form and website to remove language suggesting parental signatures are needed, aligning with the existing Hawaii Student Journalism Protection Act (Act 24, 2022). The resolution supports student journalists' First Amendment rights by emphasizing that FERPA restrictions do not apply to student media production, and it requests DOE to inform school administrators that prior parental consent is unnecessary for student publications. This affects school administrators, student media advisers, and student journalists across Hawaii public schools.

Maddy summaryHCR 149 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to form a working group focused on transitioning Volcano, Hawaii, into a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The working group, chaired by the State Representative from House District 5 and including a Volcano Community Association representative, must assess environmental initiatives needed to address local challenges like invasive species and forest degradation. Key tasks include developing native forest stewardship practices, creating community education strategies, establishing monitoring systems, and identifying conservation buffer zones. The group must submit a final report with recommendations to the Legislature and Hawaii County Council by early 2026. This resolution does not create new laws but initiates an assessment process to align Volcano with the existing Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve.

Maddy summaryHCR 188 is a concurrent resolution declaring climate change a public health emergency in Hawaii. It requires all state agencies - including Health, Transportation, Agriculture, and Land - to coordinate cross-departmental efforts to address climate-related health risks like extreme heat, disease spread, food insecurity, and mental health impacts. The resolution directs agencies to examine how their work affects public health and develop joint solutions, building on Hawaii’s 2021 climate emergency declaration. It does not create new laws or funding but mandates agency collaboration and reporting to the Governor and relevant department heads.

Maddy summaryHCR 35 requests Hawaii's Auditor to reassess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for biomarker testing, following reports that insurers still deny or delay coverage despite existing requirements. It directly affects patients needing biomarker tests (used for diagnosing conditions like cancer or Alzheimer's) and insurers who determine coverage. The resolution stems from concerns that insurers' medical director approvals create access barriers, forcing patients to pay out-of-pocket or appeal denials even when doctors deem tests medically necessary. The Auditor will evaluate whether mandatory coverage - already required by prior law (HB2223) - effectively improves access without financial or social impacts. This procedural resolution seeks updated analysis to address persistent coverage gaps.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the State of Hawaii require trainers of mandatory workplace harassment and discrimination training to demonstrate competency in LGBTQ+ identities and culturally specific gender identities relevant to Hawaii. It specifically calls for training to include terms like "mähü" (Tahiti/Hawaii) and "fa'afafine" (Samoa), aiming to improve consistency and inclusivity in state employee training programs. The resolution is a non-binding request to the state, not an enacted law, focusing on enhancing training content rather than mandating new policies.

Maddy summaryHR 148 is a House Resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to step-by-step reduce the number of state inmates held in private, out-of-state prisons. It directly affects Hawaii inmates currently incarcerated in these facilities, which separate them from family and community support networks. The resolution requires the department to submit annual progress reports to the Legislature by 2027-2030, detailing their reduction efforts. This is a non-binding request, not a law, focusing on phasing out the practice of sending inmates to mainland private prisons.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 179) requests the Hawaii Department of Education, working with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to study how schools manage heat exposure during outdoor activities to protect student health. The study must examine current practices, assess using wet-bulb globe temperature as a heat stress measurement standard, and determine if existing protocols are sufficient. If gaps are found, the study would develop guidelines for all public and charter schools covering activities like sports, recess, and band practice, including hydration protocols, staff training for heat illness, and special considerations for students with medical conditions. The resolution requires the study and any proposed guidelines to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2026. This is a procedural request for research, not an immediate policy change.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 105) clarifies that parental consent is not legally required for publishing student names or photos in school-sponsored student media (like yearbooks or newspapers), as current Hawaii law already protects student press freedom under the Hawaii Student Journalism Protection Act. It directs the Department of Education to update its Student Publication Release Form and website to remove misleading language suggesting parental signatures are needed, and to inform school administrators about this policy. The resolution specifically addresses confusion caused by FERPA (privacy law) being inappropriately applied to student journalism, which is protected under existing state law. It does not create new legal requirements but aligns school practices with current protections for student journalists. The resolution directly affects Hawaii public school administrators, student media advisers, and student journalists.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 139) urges Hawaii's Department of Education, Department of Health, and relevant stakeholders to collaborate on a strategic plan to prepare for potential participation in the CDC's national autism prevalence surveillance program. It directly affects state agencies and community stakeholders by requesting they develop infrastructure for data collection, identify necessary resources, and engage providers to support CDC's autism monitoring efforts. The resolution focuses on gathering accurate autism prevalence data for Hawaii - particularly for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities where rates are higher - rather than creating new services or funding. It is non-binding and aims to position Hawaii to seek CDC funding under the Autism CARES Act, with a requirement for a progress report to the legislature by 2026.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 125) requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Department of Education, and Maui County Department of Public Works to collaborate on addressing traffic safety and congestion around Haiku Elementary School. It directs these agencies to assess current traffic patterns, propose infrastructure improvements (like safer crosswalks and signage), and develop plans for managing school drop-off/pick-up times. The resolution requires them to consult with parents and community members and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. This resolution directly affects students, families, and staff at Haiku Elementary School and the surrounding community. It is a procedural request for study and reporting, not a law imposing new requirements.