STAND. COM. REP. NO. 149-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2445

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 Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2445 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to develop, adopt, and implement a standardized emergency response plan governing immigration enforcement activity on or near public schools, including training, communication protocols, and safeguards for students and families.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; Marchante LLC dba Mercado de La Raza; Honolulu Hawaii NAACP; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Pacific Gateway Center; Roots Reborn; Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights; American Civil Liberties Union; Pride at Work – Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; HULI PAC; Chamber of Sustainable Commerce; Waipahu Safe Haven Immigrant/Migrant Resource Center; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and one individual.

Your Committee finds that unplanned immigration enforcement activity on or near school campuses can create fear, disrupt learning, and cause emotional distress for students and their families. Your Committee further finds that schools need clear procedures to maintain safety, protect student rights, and ensure continuity of education during such incidents. This measure protects students and staff by providing consistent statewide protocols and training for immigration enforcement activity.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the emergency response plan is meant to address immigration enforcement activity on or within one thousand feet of school campuses;

(2) Specifying that the protocols for the emergency response plan pertain to federal immigration enforcement presence;

(3) Specifying that procedures for student protection measures are to prevent questioning, detainment, or removal during instructional hours or school-sponsored activities;

(4) Requiring the Department of Education to implement certain policies and procedures to address immigration enforcement activity at certain school-related locations and events;

(5) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(6) 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 Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2445, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2445, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,

____________________________

GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair