Bill > HB2168

This bill requires the Department of Education to establish a program to support students experiencing homelessness, ensuring they have access to education regardless of their housing situation or documentation. The program will include designating a state coordinator and several state navigator positions to oversee outreach, early learning, reengagement, transportation, and general support for these students. Each department complex area will also have a designated liaison to implement the program locally. Importantly, students experiencing homelessness, including unaccompanied youth (students not in the custody of a parent or guardian), will have the right to attend school in their current residence area or their previous school, even without complete documentation like birth certificates or immunization records, with provisions for provisional attendance while documentation is obtained. The bill also clarifies that if there's a dispute about school selection or enrollment, the student will be immediately enrolled while the dispute is resolved, and parents or unaccompanied youth will receive written explanations of decisions and their appeal rights. The program will also ensure these students have access to transportation and all available educational programs, including preschool and extracurricular activities, and will provide training for school staff on its implementation. This initiative aims to protect the educational rights and benefits of students experiencing homelessness, even if federal protections or funding change.

Budget and Finance, Education, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2168&year=2026