HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	599
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that section 26-61(a)(2), Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishes the goal that all children three and four years of age will have access to a preschool program by the end of 2032. It is estimated that to achieve this goal, Hawaii will need to build four hundred sixty-five preschool classrooms within the next decade. Act 257, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, appropriated $200,000,000 to the school facilities authority to, among other things, construct new school facilities to increase pre-kindergarten student capacity in Hawaii.

The legislature further finds that parents are likely to enroll their child in a preschool that is located near their place of employment. The Rainbow Schools preschool facility located on the 1st floor of the Prince Jonah Kuhio Federal Building and the Early Education Center located on the city and county of Honolulu's municipal parking lot are some of the most desired and popular preschools in the State due to their proximity to parents' jobs.

The legislature further finds that future preschools in Hawaii should be built in locations convenient for parents, including in hotels, office buildings, and other urban areas.

The purpose of this Act is to require the school facilities authority to consider establishing preschool classrooms in or near hotels, office buildings, and other urban areas with high centers of employment.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VI, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A- Preschool locations; considerations; matching funds. (a) For determining the locations of new preschool classrooms for the purpose of satisfying the goal established by section 26-61(a)(2) and continuing to satisfy that goal after December 31, 2032, the authority shall consider establishing preschool classrooms in or near hotels, office buildings, and other urban areas having high centers of employment, with consideration given to the locations convenient for parents of the enrolled children and prospective enrolled children.

(b) The authority may provide matching funds appropriated by the legislature to assist funding construction or renovation of preschool classrooms by partnerships entered into pursuant to section 302A-1703(c)(7)."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

School Facilities Authority; Preschool; Classrooms

Description:

Requires the School Facilities Authority to consider establishing preschool classrooms in or near hotels, office buildings, and other urban areas with high centers of employment, with consideration given to the locations convenient for parents. Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to provide matching funds for preschool construction.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.