HawaiiHB 18942025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)HouseWALLET

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Sponsored By: Justin H. Woodson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Requires the Department of Education to include the instruction of braille and provision of braille instructional materials under certain circumstances; provide braille literacy support services; cooperate with the Department of Human Services when requested to submit information necessary to maintain a register of the blind in the State; provide comprehensive information about braille literacy services, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services, including educational programming options; and participate in the development of section 504 plans and individualized education programs. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

DOEBraille InstructionBraille Instructional MaterialsSection 504 PlansIndividualized Education ProgramsBraille Literacy Support ServicesAppropriationEDU/HHS, WAM

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More Braille Support for Students

Hawaii’s Department of Education must offer braille services through a Section 504 plan or IEP for eligible students who are blind or have low vision. IEP teams must consider an approved reading assessment and include braille unless they find it unsuitable and record why. Braille materials must arrive with print materials, or the department must provide substitutes while they are delayed. The department also provides braille assessments, needed materials, and information about braille services and assistive technology; it prefers in-state suppliers when possible and shares blind registry information with Human Services when requested. The law appropriates $300,000, or as much as needed, for fiscal year 2026–2027 to carry out the Act.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Justin H. Woodson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Terez Amato

    Democratic • House

  • Tina Nakada Grandinetti

    Democratic • House

  • Ikaika Hussey

    Democratic • House

  • Greggor Ilagan

    Democratic • House

  • Jeanne Kapela

    Democratic • House

  • KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Darius K. Kila

    Democratic • House

  • Matthias Kusch

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Lee

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole E. Lowen

    Democratic • House

  • M.

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Lisa Marten

    Democratic • House

  • Lauren Matsumoto

    Republican • House

  • Tyson K. Miyake

    Democratic • House

  • Dee Morikawa

    Democratic • House

  • Ikaika Olds

    Democratic • House

  • Amy A. Perruso

    Democratic • House

  • Mahina Poepoe

    Democratic • House

  • REYES ODA

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Kanani Souza

    Republican • House

  • Jenna Takenouchi

    Democratic • House

  • David A. Tarnas

    Democratic • House

  • Chris Todd

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 229 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 5/1/2026

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/1/2026

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....

Yes: 4 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 25 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2026

The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...

Yes: 3 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2026

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...

Yes: 16 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN...

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 2/17/2026

The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Act 243, 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1345).

    7/13/2026Senate
  2. Act 243, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1345).

    7/13/2026House
  3. Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).

    5/8/2026Senate
  4. Transmitted to Governor.

    5/7/2026House
  5. Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).

    5/6/2026House
  6. Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.

    5/6/2026Senate
  7. Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).

    5/6/2026House
  8. The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, McKelvey, Kidani, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

    5/1/2026Senate
  9. The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, Lee, M., La Chica, Olds, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

    5/1/2026House
  10. Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 178-26) as amended in (CD 1).

    5/1/2026House
  11. Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.

    5/1/2026House
  12. Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 178-26).

    5/1/2026Senate
  13. 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26

    5/1/2026Senate
  14. Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 1:30PM in conference room 229.

    4/30/2026House
  15. Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 1:30PM; Conference Room 229.

    4/29/2026Senate
  16. Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 1:35PM in conference room 229.

    4/27/2026House
  17. Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 719).

    4/22/2026House
  18. Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; McKelvey, Kidani Co-Chairs; DeCorte.

    4/21/2026Senate
  19. House Conferees Appointed: Woodson, Lee, M. Co-Chairs; La Chica, Olds, Souza.

    4/20/2026House
  20. Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).

    4/20/2026Senate
  21. Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).

    4/17/2026Senate
  22. House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).

    4/16/2026House
  23. Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

    4/14/2026Senate
  24. Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 638) in amended form (SD 1).

    4/14/2026House
  25. Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3707) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.

    4/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

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