Rep. Justin Woodson

Pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement negotiated for Bargaining Unit (5) and subject to the availability of funds, provides annual salary step increases for public school teachers who have completed a year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Office of Entrepreneurship. Authorizes the use of the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund to fund a program in partnership with the Office that creates opportunities in film, media, electronic sports, and creative industries for new businesses. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders and the requirements to obtain the international teacher license. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 625 establishes a state-funded incentive program to attract and retain nationally certified school psychologists in public schools. It directly affects qualified school psychologists by providing financial incentives through appropriated state funds. The bill creates a mechanism where eligible psychologists receive annual payments upon meeting certification and employment requirements. The program is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 3000, and recently passed the Education Committee with 10 supportive votes. This is a funding-based policy change focused on addressing staffing needs in school mental health services.

Expands the scopes of practice for occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech pathologists employed by or contracted with the Department of Education to diagnose students with a medical condition in an educational setting and treat the students. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1489 allocates state funds to the Department of Human Services (DHS) to administer core homelessness services. It directly affects individuals experiencing homelessness by providing resources for essential support programs, though the specific services (e.g., shelters, case management) are not detailed in the abstract. The bill’s key mechanism is funding distribution through DHS, requiring the department to manage these services under the state’s homelessness strategy. As of its current status, the bill is pending in the 2026 Regular Session after being referred to relevant committees in 2025.

Provides an exemption for public charter schools and their respective governing boards from the statutory prohibition on retaining independent legal counsel.

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a program to award high school diplomas to persons who did not receive a diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services and persons whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 627 allocates funds to the Department of Education to hire staff positions focused on implementing and maintaining school safety measures. It directly affects public schools by providing resources to enhance safety protocols through dedicated personnel. The bill’s key provision is the appropriation of funding specifically for these safety-related roles, rather than altering existing safety standards. The measure is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 3000 (note: likely a typo for 2030, per standard legislative dates).

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to establish a cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator training program for public school students in grades six through twelve as part of existing health or physical education curriculum. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the establishment of a cardiac emergency response plan in all public elementary, middle, intermediate, and high schools in the State.