State Legislature
HIAEYC Public Policy
HIAEYC is the leading voice for high-quality early learning opportunities for all children in the state of Hawai‘i. We advocate for important legislative initiatives by providing information to legislative committees. We keep them aware of the things that are important to our members and the children they support.
We keep our members informed of current bills and their potential impact on our field, and educate our members in how to make their voices heard in effective ways. We encourage our members to be active citizens in the legislative process. This page is designed to keep you informed so, together, our voices are loud and clear as decisions are made that impact our field and the future of our keiki.
2024 HAEYC Bills
NOW is the time to become an advocate for our Keiki, Ohana and Early Childhood Education workforce!
HB2535 (Contracted Classrooms)
Establishes a child care classroom contracts pilot program to require the Department of Human Services to contract directly with child care center providers in licensed infant and toddler child care centers and group child care centers that meet certain criteria. It received a hearing last Thursday, February 1, at 9:00 AM, in which 33 pages of testimony have been submitted, ALL in support of HB2535. As of today (02/06), HB2535 has passed its first committee (Health and Human Services) and is now waiting for a hearing in its next committee (Education).
HB1964, SB2603 (Child Care Worker Subsidy and Bonus Program) Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and implement a child care provider subsidy and bonus program to provide subsidies to retain the existing child care workforce in licensed infant and toddler child care centers and group child care centers and bonuses to registered family child care homes. It received a hearing last Thursday, February 1, at 9:00 AM, in which 58 pages of testimony have been submitted, ALL in support of HB1964. As of today (02.06), HB1964 has passed its first committee and is now awaiting a hearing from its next committee (Finance).
SB3087, HB2398 (EOEL Facilities) Expands access to early learning programs on other state properties and public lands besides Department of Education public school campuses. The bill received a hearing, Monday, February 5th, at 3:15 PM, in which 14 pages of testimony have been submitted, ALL in support of SB3087. As of today (02/06), SB3087 has passed its first committee (Education) and is now waiting for a hearing in its next committee (Ways and Means).
MAHALO to you for staying connected, submitting testimony, and sharing with friends and family. For more information about this legislative session and to understand how a bill becomes a law, visit the website put together by HCAN-Speaks. This will provide you with tools to strengthen your voice as advocates: Legislative Session website and Priorities Bill Tracker.
Here are related articles of Early Care and Education in Hawai’i:
Demand for Preschool Expands as Federal Funding Dwindles
‘Abusive’ Lawsuits, Early Child Care Lead Hawaii Women’s Caucus Package Of Bills
Hawaii faces a preschool teacher shortage midst the state expanding access to them
Lawmakers consider bills to address childcare staffing shortages
Whether you’re a family member, early childhood student or early childhood professional, please share your stories this legislation session of how early childhood education has made a difference in your keiki’s life. You can email your stories to haeyc@hawaiihaeyc.org. Mahalo Nui for your support!
HIAEYC Public Policy Committee
Committee Members:
- Brenda Watanabe, Chair, VP Public Policy
- Alex Domingo, Board President
- Jackie Benton-Ching, Board Member At-Large
- Elaine Yamashita, Member
- Terry Lock, Member
- Malia Tsuchiya, Member
The HIAEYC Public Policy Committee is open to any interested member in good standing. The committee meets with changing frequency during the year, depending upon whether the legislators are in session. Contact haeyc@hawaiihaeyc.org and let us know if you are interested in being on the committee