STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3707

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1894

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1894, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to help students with low vision or blindness to succeed in the classroom and prepare for future careers.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Education to:

(A) Ensure that section 504 plans or individualized education programs for eligible low vision or blind students include Braille educational services;

(B) Provide Braille literacy support services;

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

(D) Provide eligible low vision or blind students, and the students' parents or legal guardians, with comprehensive information about Braille literacy services, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services; and

(E) Participate in the development of section 504 plans and individualized education programs; and

(2) Appropriates moneys to the Department of Education for the purposes of the Act.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Education, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and ten individuals.

Your Committee finds that Braille literacy skills are essential for some low vision and blind individuals to actively learn, seek and maintain employment, engage in cultural enrichment and hobbies, and to participate in additional opportunities for growth and fulfillment in life. However, only approximately ten percent of Department of Education students who are registered with the American Printing House for the Blind to receive special educational materials have access to Braille services through their special education programs. Your Committee believes that this measure will help address this gap by proactively ensuring that Braille educational services are available to all students who may benefit from receiving those services, as determined under a section 504 plan or individualized education program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1894, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair