Rep. Lisa Kitagawa

Maddy summaryHB 1522 extends the time period to file a discrimination complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission from the current limit to one year. This change directly affects individuals who experience discrimination in Hawaii, giving them more time to seek redress through the Commission. The bill’s key provision modifies the statute of limitations for filing such complaints, allowing a full year from the alleged discriminatory act to submit a formal complaint. The bill is currently pending before the House Judiciary Committee for further review.

Allows a licensed dental hygienist to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings under the general supervision of licensed dentist. 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Includes the Chief Investigator and Chief Special Investigator of the Department of Law Enforcement as class A members of the pension and retirement system. Establishes guidance for the computation of retirement benefits for the Adjutant General, Deputy Adjutant General, Fire Marshal, and Deputy Fire Marshal. (HD2)

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)

Entitles unaccompanied homeless youth, including runaway youth, with the rights, as provided by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, to immediate enrollment in school, full participation in school activities, and access to comparable school and educational services provided to other students. Establishes a student-centered, safety-first protocol for unaccompanied homeless youth enrolling in or attending school. Permits unaccompanied homeless youth to provisionally enroll in school without providing immunization records. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Maddy summaryHB 2214 creates a refundable income tax credit specifically for diaper purchases. It directly affects low-income parents or caregivers who buy diapers for children, providing financial relief for this essential expense. The credit is refundable, meaning recipients receive the full credit amount as cash even if they owe no income tax. This policy change adds a new, targeted tax benefit to the state's income tax code, replacing potential tax savings with direct cash assistance for eligible households.

Establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate within the Department of the Attorney General to oversee and evaluate the delivery of services to children and their families by various state agencies and entities, receive and investigate complaints, and make recommendations for improvement. Requires annual reports to the Governor, Legislature, and public. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Education to establish a Numeracy Coaching Program to provide numeracy coaches in certain Department of Education elementary schools, middle schools, and intermediate schools to support teachers, improve instruction, and ensure that students develop a strong foundation in mathematics. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to contract with community-based organizations to provide preventive and early intervention mental health services to adolescents within the community. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 2019 appropriates funds to the Executive Office on Early Learning to administer financial support for family-child interaction learning programs. The bill directly affects the Executive Office on Early Learning, which will manage the funding, and the early learning programs serving families with young children. This is a funding bill with no policy changes, solely providing resources for existing family-child interaction initiatives.