Bill > HB107

This bill establishes the Imagination Library of Hawaii Program through the Executive Office on Early Learning, which will provide one free book per month to children from birth through five years old who live in Hawaii. The program will be implemented by a nonprofit organization that must contribute at least 50% of the program's funding, promote local book-gifting initiatives, conduct community outreach, recruit community partners, and contract with a national nonprofit foundation to provide high-quality, age-appropriate books at no cost to families. The nonprofit will be responsible for developing community engagement, increasing program enrollment, and supporting local book-gifting efforts. The bill includes an appropriation of funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the program's implementation, and the Executive Office on Early Learning is authorized to adopt necessary rules to carry out the program. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, with the goal of promoting early childhood literacy and supporting families by providing children with free books during their critical early developmental years.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=107&year=2026