Bill > HB1888

This bill aims to enhance the safety of educational workers by requiring the Department of Education and public charter schools to implement procedures for reporting and handling harassment. It defines "educational worker" broadly to include employees, volunteers, and contractors, and clarifies that "harassment" is behavior intended to harass, annoy, or alarm, specifically when directed at an educational worker due to their position. The bill mandates that both the Department of Education and public charter schools must investigate all reported incidents of harassment, report them to law enforcement within 48 hours, and develop written emergency safety plans. Educational workers subjected to harassment will be entitled to paid leave to attend court proceedings related to protection orders, and the bill appropriates funds to establish legal advocate positions within the Department of Education and the public charter school commission to assist educational workers in obtaining temporary restraining orders, with the cost of serving these orders being reimbursed. Furthermore, the bill elevates the penalty for harassment to a misdemeanor when the victim is an educational worker, and it also allows for the preparation of legal documents for complainants seeking temporary restraining orders without it being considered the unauthorized practice of law.

Education, Justice, Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1888&year=2026