Bill > HB617

This bill addresses Hawaii's nursing workforce shortage by establishing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Recognizing that Maui is the largest county in Hawaii without a four-year nursing program, the bill aims to increase the supply of nursing graduates and allow Maui students to complete their entire nursing education locally. The legislation includes multiple appropriations from the state's general revenues across fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the program's development, covering prerequisite courses, additional personnel, supplies, equipment, laboratory upgrades, and instructional costs for the third year of nursing courses. Currently, the University of Hawaii Maui College only offers a nursing certificate and an associate degree, which requires students to transfer to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to complete a bachelor's degree. By creating a full BSN program on Maui, the bill seeks to address the state's nursing shortage, estimated at approximately 1,000 unfilled positions, and provide more educational opportunities for local students. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 3000 (which appears to be a placeholder date).

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=617&year=2026