STAND. COM. REP. NO. 695-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1559

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1559 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a uniform statewide policy restricting student use of telecommunications devised during the instruction day in public schools.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Hawaii Principals Advisory Council. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Education; Department of Education; Department of the Attorney General; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that national surveys of public school leaders and teachers indicate that a majority report negative impacts from student use of cell phones and similar devices on students' mental health, attention span, and educational outcomes. Your Committee further finds that numerous states have enacted statewide policies to restrict or prohibit student use of cell phones and similar devices during the instructional day, with exceptions for certain educational or authorized purposes. Early reports show that those states have experienced improvements in student focus, attendance, and academic performance. This measure will help strengthen learning environments, support student mental and emotional well-being, and improve academic outcomes for students throughout the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Allowing a telecommunication device to be used on school grounds during the instruction day when the device is required pursuant to a student's individualized education program or section 504 plan, or as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1559, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1559, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair