Bill > HB758

This bill strengthens Hawaii's protections against sex-based discrimination in educational settings by establishing comprehensive guidelines for addressing harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in public schools, charter schools, and the University of Hawaii. The legislation expands existing legal frameworks to explicitly protect students from discrimination based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and related conditions. Key provisions include mandating prompt investigations of complaints, establishing procedures for handling sex-based harassment reports, protecting pregnant and parenting students' rights, allowing students to participate in activities consistent with their gender identity, and requiring mandatory reporting by non-confidential employees. The bill also defines critical terms like consent, sex-based harassment, and retaliation, and requires educational institutions to provide training to employees on recognizing and reporting discriminatory behavior. Additionally, the legislation allows individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination to file private civil actions within two years of an incident and requires annual reporting from educational institutions about complaints and training compliance. The bill aims to provide stronger state-level protections that go beyond federal Title IX requirements, drawing on principles of federalism and the state's constitutional commitment to individual liberties.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=758&year=2026