HawaiiHB 6922025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)HouseWALLET

RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM.

Sponsored By: Lisa Marten (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Expands the Preschool Open Doors Program's eligibility criteria. Repeals the requirement that Preschool Open Doors Program providers be accredited. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD1)

Preschool Open Doors ProgramEligibilityProvidersHHS, WAM

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More preschool access before kindergarten

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Preschool Open Doors program serves eligible children in the three years before kindergarten until they enter, subject to available funds. The law removes the old priority groups. Providers must assess children’s physical, thinking, language, social, and emotional development. The program supports school readiness in either of Hawaii’s two official languages. The department can use temporary rules after at least one public hearing, but each rule lasts no more than one year.

Families face new preschool copay rules

Beginning January 1, 2026, enrollment in the program is voluntary. Families may choose a licensed group child care center or home, or an exempt center-based provider that meets state requirements. The program may charge a copayment based on need, using a sliding fee scale set by department rules. The law changes parent cost-sharing from required to optional, but does not set a copayment amount.

Child care providers get accreditation support

Beginning January 1, 2026, child care providers do not need accreditation to take part in the preschool program. The department provides grants for accreditation costs and technical help through the accreditation process. Upfront grants cover accreditation by a national early learning organization approved by the director, and the support applies to specified licensed or registered providers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lisa Marten

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • David Alcos III

    Republican • House

  • Terez Amato

    Democratic • House

  • Della Au Belatti

    Democratic • House

  • Luke A. Evslin

    Democratic • House

  • Diamond Garcia

    Republican • House

  • Andrew Takuya Garrett

    Democratic • House

  • Tina Nakada Grandinetti

    Democratic • House

  • Kim Coco Iwamoto

    Democratic • House

  • Jeanne Kapela

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Kitagawa

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole E. Lowen

    Democratic • House

  • Scot Z. Matayoshi

    Democratic • House

  • Ikaika Olds

    Democratic • House

  • Amy A. Perruso

    Democratic • House

  • Mahina Poepoe

    Democratic • House

  • Gregg Takayama

    Democratic • House

  • Jenna Takenouchi

    Democratic • House

  • Adrian K. Tam

    Democratic • House

  • Chris Todd

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 213 • No: 1

House vote • 4/30/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 49 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

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

Yes: 3 • No: 0

House vote • 4/23/2025

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

Yes: 4 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 25 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

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

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2025

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

Yes: 3 • No: 0

House vote • 2/28/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 47 • No: 0

House vote • 2/24/2025

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

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote • 2/10/2025

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

Yes: 47 • No: 0

House vote • 2/4/2025

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

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Act 203, 06/24/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1304).

    6/24/2025Senate
  2. Act 203, on 06/24/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1304).

    6/24/2025House
  3. Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821).

    5/2/2025Senate
  4. Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888).

    5/1/2025House
  5. Transmitted to Governor.

    5/1/2025House
  6. Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.

    4/30/2025Senate
  7. Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).

    4/30/2025House
  8. Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 18) as amended in (CD 1).

    4/24/2025House
  9. Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25.

    4/24/2025House
  10. Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 18).

    4/24/2025Senate
  11. 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25

    4/24/2025Senate
  12. The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Moriwaki, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

    4/23/2025Senate
  13. The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Morikawa, Olds, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

    4/23/2025House
  14. Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Moriwaki Co-Chair; Fevella.

    4/22/2025Senate
  15. Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 859).

    4/22/2025House
  16. Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 04-23-25 1:40PM in conference room 329.

    4/22/2025House
  17. Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 732).

    4/15/2025Senate
  18. House Conferees Appointed: Marten, Morikawa Co-Chairs; Olds, Alcos.

    4/14/2025House
  19. Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 621).

    4/10/2025Senate
  20. House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).

    4/8/2025House
  21. Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

    4/4/2025Senate
  22. Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 576) in amended form (SD 1).

    4/4/2025House
  23. Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1649) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.

    4/3/2025Senate
  24. One Day Notice 04-04-25.

    4/3/2025Senate
  25. The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 11 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite, Fevella.

    4/1/2025Senate

Bill Text

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