Bill > HB962

This bill establishes a two-year school librarian pilot program administered by Hawaii's Department of Education (DOE) to address the current lack of librarians in public schools, with only 24% of schools currently staffed with licensed school librarians. The program will provide financial support to qualifying DOE schools to hire or retain librarians, with specific eligibility requirements including having a basic library space and meeting the DOE's library media program standards. Participating schools must use the funds exclusively for librarian salaries and benefits, and these funds will supplement rather than replace existing library resources. Schools receiving funding will be required to submit annual reports detailing fund usage and impact, and the DOE must submit an interim report before the 2026 legislative session and a final report before the 2027 legislative session, with the pilot program set to conclude on June 30, 2027. The bill recognizes the importance of school libraries in supporting student learning and academic success, citing research showing that strong library programs with licensed librarians can positively impact student achievement. While the exact funding amount is not specified, the bill appropriates funds from Hawaii's general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the pilot program.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=962&year=2026