Allows the Department of Education to develop a comprehensive plan to integrate design thinking and coding in middle, intermediate, and high school curriculums. Requires that any such plan developed by the Department of Education, including any proposed legislation, be submitted to the Legislature prior to the 2019 Regular Session. (CD1)
Permits individual department of education schools and career pathways, academies, or programs operated within a department of education school, to engage in commercial enterprises, including the sale of goods produced by or for an individual school, career pathway, academy, or program. (CD1)
Clarifies that the licensing requirements for hearing aid dealers and fitters shall not apply to audiologists licensed pursuant to chapter 468E, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Clarifies that to be eligible for licensure as an audiologist, a person shall not be required to also be licensed as a hearing aid dealer and fitter. (CD1)
Adopts the National Conference of Insurance Legislators' Model Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act, which requires life insurers to conduct database searches using the federal Social Security Administration's death master file or similar database to determine whether an insured has died. Requires life insurers to use good faith efforts to locate any beneficiaries to a policy, contract, or retained asset account. Authorizes the insurance commissioner to use discretion to limit, exempt, or phase-in compliance with requirements under certain circumstances. (CD1)
Imposes the transient accommodations tax on additional resort fees that must be included in gross rental proceeds. (CD1)
Defines the Hilo community economic district. Authorizes BLNR to extend or modify the terms of certain public land leases within the economic district upon approval by BLNR of a lessee's development agreement to make substantial improvements to or construct new improvements on the land as long as the length of any extension granted does not extend the original lease term by more than 40 years. Establishes conditions for BLNR to approve any extension of the fixed rental period of term of certain public land leases in the economic district. Establishes causes of economic hardship for which BLNR may modify or eliminate any of the existing statutory restrictions on public land leases in the economic district, extend or modify the fixed rental period of these leases, or extend the term of these leases and amends the conditions for BLNR's approval of any such modification, elimination, or extension. Establishes a separate request for interest process to public lands in the economic district. Requires qualified bidders to deposit an amount equal to one per cent of the value of the leasehold improvements. (CD1)
Prohibits prospective employers from requesting or considering a job applicant's wage or salary history as part of an employment application process or compensation offer. Prohibits enforced wage secrecy and retaliation or discrimination against employees who disclose, discuss, or inquire about their own or coworkers' wages. Takes effect 1/1/2019. (CD1)
Establishes the Address Confidentiality Program in the Department of the Attorney General to help survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking to relocate and keep the location of their physical address confidential. (CD1)
Ensures certain benefits under the federal Affordable Care Act are preserved under Hawaii law, including: extending dependent coverage for adult children up to 26 years of age; prohibiting health insurance entities from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion; and prohibiting health insurance entities from using an individual's gender to determine premiums or contributions. (CD1)
Authorizes establishment of the Hawaii Airports Corporation within the Department of Transportation for administrative purposes. Sets out appointment of members to the board of directors and powers and duties of the Hawaii Airports Corporation. Transfers aeronautics functions of the Department of Transportation to the Hawaii Airports Corporation by the established transfer completion date agreed upon by the Hawaii Airports Corporation, the Director of Transportation, and the Governor, which shall be no later than 12/31/2021. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)
