For a full update of bills and contained in the Children's Agenda, CLICK HERE      

Updates for HCAN Priority Bills                            

COLOR CODE:  

EARLY LEARNING       

HOMELESS CHILDREN & FAMILIES      

PAID FAMILY LEAVE

1)  SB 2227  Funding for Preschool Open Doors    This bill would restore $6 million in funding for Hawaii's successful Preschool Open Doors program.  The money for this program is simultaneously provided for in the Governor's budget, but this bill is another potential avenue to ensure funding

PATH TO BECOMING LAW (must pass following committee/floor votes):

• Senate HMS Committee (PASSED)
• Senate WAM Committee   (BILL IS DEFERRED -- LOOK TO BUDGET BILL FOR PRESCHOOL FUNDING)
• Senate Floor
• House ____ Committee (TBD)
• House FIN Committee
• House Floor
• Conference Committee (If House and Senate bills are different)

2) HB 2266 & SB 2603  Restoring Funding for the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL)   These bills would restore funding for staff and operations for EOEL.  The funding for this important office was cut just last year.

PATHS TO BECOMING LAW (must pass following committee/floor votes):

HB 2266

• House EDN Committee (PASSED)
• House FIN Committee (PASSED with amendments)
• House Floor                 (PASSED)
• Senate EDU Committee (PASSED)
• Senate WAM Committee (PASSED with amendments)
• Senate Floor (PASSED)
• Conference Committee

SB 2603

• Senate EDU Committee (PASSED)
• Senate WAM Committee (PASSED with amendments)
• Senate Floor                  (PASSED)
• House EDN Committee  (No hearing scheduled, look to alternate version of bill above)
• House FIN Commitee
• House Floor
• Conference Committee

3) HB 1716  ELAB bill -- Changes the role of ELAB (Early Learning Advisory Board) and requires a new Commission to have appointing authority over the EOEL director.

PATH TO BECOMING LAW (must pass following committee/floor votes):

• House EDN Committee (PASSED)
• House JUD Committee  (DEFEATED no hearing scheduled in JUD)
• House Floor
• Senate ___ Committee
• Senate WAM Committee
• Senate Floor
• Conference Committee (if versions are different)

 4) HB 1774 & SB 2340 -- Funding for outreach for homeless youth  These bills would set aside funding for outreach for homeless individuals and families, with $300k set aside specifically for outreach for homeless youth.

PATH TO BECOMING LAW (must pass following committee/floor votes):

HB 1774

• House HUS Committee  (PASSED)
• House FIN Committee   (PASSED)
• House Floor                  (PASSED)
• Senate HMS Committee (PASSED with amendments)
• Senate WAM Committee (PASSED with amendments)
• Senate Floor (PASSED)
• Conference Committee (if House and Senate versions differ)

SB 2340

• Senate HMS Committee (PASSED)
• Senate WAM Committee (DEFEATED, no hearing scheduled, look to alternate bill above)
• Senate Floor
• House ___ Committee
• House FIN Committee
• House Floor
• Conference Committee (if House and Senate versions differ)

5) HB 1773 & SB 2733 -- Low income housing credit -- Provides funds for working individuals and families who are ready to pay rent, but who are homeless.  The funds would help them obtain and maintain permanent housing.

PATH TO BECOMING LAW (must pass following committee/floor votes):

HB 1773

• House HUS/HSG Committee (PASSED)
• House FIN Committee          (PASSED)
• House Floor                         (PASSED)
• Senate HOU/HMS Commitee (PASSED with amendments)
• Senate WAM Committee  (DEFEATED  measure deferred by WAM)
• Senate Floor
• Conference Committee (if House and Senate versions differ)

SB 2733

• Senate HOU/HMS Committee  (PASSED)
• Senate WAM Committee         (DEFEATED -- no hearing scheduled in WAM, look to House version above)
• Senate Floor
• House HUS/HSG Committee
• House FIN Committee
• House Floor
• Conference Committee (if House and Senate versions differ)

6) SB 2961 -- Paid Family Leave bill -- Establishes an employee-funded insurance program as a trust fund for family leave insurance benefits.

PATH TO BECOMING LAW (must pass following committee/floor votes):

SB 2961

• Senate HMS/CPH Committee (PASSED)
• Senate JDL/WAM Committee  (PASSED with amendments)
• Senate Floor                         (PASSED)
• House LAB Committee (PASSED with amendments)
• House CPC Committee (PASSED with amendments)
• House FIN Committee (DEFEATED -- Finance Cmte failed to give bill a hearing)
• House Floor
• Conference Committee (if House and Senate versions differ)