Bill > SB574

This bill modifies the public prekindergarten program in Hawaii by adding new enrollment priority provisions. Specifically, the bill amends existing law to give priority enrollment to children who have a parent or guardian who is a public school teacher, in addition to the current priority given to underserved or at-risk children. The bill requires that applications for priority enrollment include evidence that the child is ineligible for existing child care subsidy and preschool programs. The prekindergarten program will continue to serve three- and four-year-old children in the two years before kindergarten entry, following the academic year schedule of the Department of Education and aligning with full-day kindergarten classroom schedules. The bill also gives enrollment priority to children who will be assigned to a specific school upon entering kindergarten and children whose parents or guardians work as teachers at that school. The legislation will take effect immediately upon approval and does not impact any rights, penalties, or proceedings that existed before its effective date.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=574&year=2026