STAND. COM. REP. NO. 75-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1592

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. 1592 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ASSAULT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to elevate criminal penalties for assaults committed against educational workers and sports officials, preserving appropriate judicial discretion at sentencing.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; State Public Charter School Commission; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; Hawaii High School Athletic Association; Maui Interscholastic School League; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender.

Your Committee recognizes that educational workers and sports officials play a vital role in supporting student safety, youth development, and the well-being of the community. However, these individuals are increasingly being threatened, harassed, and subjected to physical violence during the performance of their duties, whether on or off school property and at events organized by schools or private organizations. Your Committee believes that strengthening protections for educational workers and sports officials will support public safety and further encourage participation in education and youth athletics.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000.

Your Committee notes that this measure is one part of the solution in providing protections for educational workers and sports officials, and that further scrutiny of other preventative measures is needed.

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. 1592, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1592, 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