STAND. COM. REP. NO. 519-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1894

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. 1894 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to:

(1) Include the instruction of braille and provision of braille instructional materials under certain circumstances;

(2) Provide braille literacy support services;

(3) Cooperate with the Department of Human Services when requested to submit information necessary to maintain a register of the blind in the State;

(4) Provide comprehensive information about braille literacy services, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services, including educational programming options; and

(5) Participate in the development of section 504 plans and individualized education programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Disability and Communication Access Board; Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission; National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that literacy skills are vital for success in education, employment, and life for all members of society, including individuals who have low vision or are blind. Your Committee further finds that Braille literacy skills are fundamental for low vision and blind students to learn, seek and maintain remunerative employment, and access the opportunities in life open to all regardless of disability. Your Committee believes that it is in the best interest of the State to make braille literacy education services available to all residents. Therefore, your Committee finds it necessary to promote Braille instruction and the timely access to braille instructional materials for low vision and blind students, parents, teachers, and other school personnel.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding an appropriation in an unspecified amount for the Department of Education;

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

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $300,000.

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. 1894, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1894, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair