Rep. Justin Woodson

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 2558 expands telehealth access for state residents by allowing out-of-state medical providers to deliver certain clinical treatments via telehealth. It directly affects residents seeking remote care and out-of-state healthcare providers who can now legally offer these services within the state. The key provision removes current restrictions, enabling licensed providers from other states to conduct specific telehealth consultations and treatments for state residents. This policy change aims to increase healthcare access options without requiring providers to obtain additional state licenses for these services.

Requires the Department of Education to provide additional benefits to: (1) teachers with special assignments where their duties and responsibilities are greater than their ordinary duties and responsibilities; (2) teachers in Hawaiian language medium education whose responsibilities are greater or unique and require additional language skills; and (3) teachers at special needs schools. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes an apprenticeship program income tax credit for certain qualified costs incurred by a taxpayer for a qualified apprenticeship program. Sunsets 12/31/2036. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Maddy summaryHB 1986 requires the state Department of Transportation to create rules by January 1, 2028, establishing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels used in vehicles. The bill mandates regular reporting to the legislature and public informational sessions about the standard's implementation. It directly affects alternative fuel providers and the Department of Transportation, setting new requirements for fuel composition and emissions. The bill is currently pending committee review (deferred until February 2026) and has not yet become law.

Requires the exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) to appoint to the Board of Education a nonvoting public school teacher representative. Authorizes the nonvoting public school teacher representative to participate in all Board of Education meetings and enter into executive sessions, except in certain matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

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)

Expands free school meal coverage, beginning with the 2029-2030 school year, to all public school students, including public charter school students, regardless of whether the student participates in a federal school meals program. 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)

Establishes a Basic Needs Pilot Program at a single campus of the University of Hawaii system. Authorizes the establishment of a Housing Stability Pilot Project at that campus. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (HD1)