HB1646

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that human resources management plays a strategic role in managing people and the workplace environment. The increased need for human resources management by the state executive branch, department of education, and university of Hawaii system has created a need for all public employees utilizing this resource to be assured that the services they receive are provided by qualified staff who follow consistent professional standards. Currently, individuals who hold themselves out as human resources professionals are not presently required to be licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise regulated by the State.

The purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate funds for the state auditor to examine the feasibility of requiring specific job classifications that deal with human resources in the state executive branch, department of education, and university of Hawaii system to be licensed or certified in human resources.

SECTION 2. (a) The state auditor shall examine the following job classifications to determine whether a human resources license or certification is feasible and necessary:

(1) Human resources officer in the state executive branch;

(2) Human resources specialist in the state executive branch;

(3) Personnel regional officer in the department of education;

(4) Human resources manager in the university of Hawaii system; and

(5) Human resources specialist in the university of Hawaii system.

(b) The state auditor shall also:

(1) Examine the feasibility of requiring the department of human resources development to compile and oversee a list of accredited human resources programs that can be applied for the purposes of licensure or certification for the job classifications listed pursuant to subsection (a); provided that the department of human resources development may use a Hawaii-based human resources program or a program that is not based in Hawaii; provided further that the program can be completed fully online or in a virtual format;

(2) Examine the cost of requiring the state executive branch, department of education, and university of Hawaii system to, respectively, cover all necessary expenses, including but not limited to the program tuition, books, necessary equipment, and relevant fees;

(3) Examine the feasibility and operational impact on a department or workplace when requiring that all necessary courses and coursework be completed during work hours, unless the employee voluntarily decides to devote personal time to the applicable program;

(4) Examine the cost, feasibility, and operational impact of requiring the department of human resources development to implement, oversee, and enforce a mandatory license or certification for the specified human resources positions;

(5) Examine and outline any positive workplace benefits when requiring a human resources professional to be certified; and

(6) Complete the study and submit findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation and a recommendation as to whether Hawaii should require licensure or certification of certain human resources management personnel, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the state auditor to examine the feasibility of requiring specific job classifications that deal with human resources to be licensed or certified in human resources.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the state auditor for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1646
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII