Bill > SB638

This bill requires employers to provide employees with paid rest breaks of at least ten consecutive minutes for every four hours worked, with breaks ideally occurring in the middle of each work period and counted as paid work time. If an employer fails to provide these rest periods, they must pay the employee an additional hour of wages at their regular compensation rate for each workday without a break and will be subject to a fine (though the specific fine amount is not specified in the bill text). The requirement does not apply to employees covered by collective bargaining agreements under chapter 89 of Hawaii's laws. The bill clarifies that employers are still free to provide longer or more frequent breaks than the minimum requirement. The new law will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will not retroactively affect rights, penalties, or proceedings that existed before its effective date. This legislation aims to ensure workers have mandatory short breaks during longer work shifts to rest and recuperate.

Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=638&year=2026