# Hawaii SB 173: RELATING TO CHILD CARE.

Hawaii SB 173, RELATING TO CHILD CARE., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) Senate bill sponsored by Karl Rhoads (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-02-04 (Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 23) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB173-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 173
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO CHILD CARE.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-13
- Last action: 2025-02-04, Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 23) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
- Sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 3
- Subjects: Judiciary, Pilot Program, Child Care, Witnesses, Parties, First Circuit, Reports, Appropriations, JDC, WAM
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Requires the Judiciary to establish a three-year pilot program to provide free child care services to minor children of parties and witnesses who are attending court hearings in the first circuit. Requires the Judiciary to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: SAN BUENAVENTURA

## Actions (7)

- 2025-02-04: Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 23) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-01-28: The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2025-01-22: The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Referred to JDC, WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Introduced and passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-01-13: Pending Introduction. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB173_SD1_.pdf)
- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB173_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB173_.PDF)
- SB173_SD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB173_SD1_.HTM)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB173_SD1_.pdf)
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB173_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB173_.PDF)
- [SB173_SD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB173_SD1_.HTM)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB173-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).