This amendment creates a new law requiring Hawaii schools to offer Braille instruction and materials to students with low vision or blindness unless their education team decides it is not appropriate.
Hawaii2026Enacted
HB1894
Hawaii Braille Literacy Education Act
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 11:30 PM
In one sentence
This law requires the Department of Education to provide braille instruction, materials, and support services for eligible students with low vision or blindness.
What it does
- Requires schools to include braille teaching in education plans unless a team decides it is not needed based on assessments.
- Mandates that braille books be given at the same time as regular print materials are distributed, including substitute materials if originals have not arrived.
- Orders the Department of Education to share information with human services officials when requested to maintain a list of blind residents in the State.
- Requires schools to give families clear details about braille help, special technology devices, and other learning options.
Who it affects
- Eligible students with low vision or blindness from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
- The Department of Education staff responsible for creating education plans.
- Parents and teachers involved in planning student support services.
- The Department of Human Services when it requests data to maintain a register of the blind.
Limits and unknowns
- Braille instruction is only required if the education plan team determines it is appropriate after reviewing student assessments.
- The law states that funds are appropriated but does not specify the exact dollar amount in this text.
- The official bill text provided cuts off before listing all specific duties regarding braille literacy support services.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Braille
- A tactile writing system using raised dots that allows people with low vision or blindness to read by touch.
- Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- A written plan created for a student with disabilities under federal law to outline their specific learning needs and services.
- Section 504 Plan
- Documentation of needs and services developed by a team to ensure equal educational opportunity for students with disabilities.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
RELATING TO EDUCATION. DOE; Braille Instruction; Braille Instructional Materials; Section 504 Plans; Individualized Education Programs; Braille Literacy Support Services; Appropriation ($) 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. (CD1)
Official activity
Bill history
- Act 243, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1345).H
- Act 243, 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1345).S
- Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).S
- Transmitted to Governor.H
- Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).H
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.S
- Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).H
- 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26S
- Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 178-26).S
- Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.H
- Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 178-26) as amended in (CD 1).H
- 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.H
- 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.S
- Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 1:30PM in conference room 229.H
- Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 1:30PM; Conference Room 229.S
- Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 1:35PM in conference room 229.H
- Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 719).H
- Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; McKelvey, Kidani Co-Chairs; DeCorte.S
- Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).S
- House Conferees Appointed: Woodson, Lee, M. Co-Chairs; La Chica, Olds, Souza.H
Changes
Amendments
3 stored
This amendment creates a new law requiring Hawaii schools to offer Braille instruction and reading materials to students with low vision or blindness unless their education team decides it is not appropriate.
This amendment creates a new law requiring Hawaii schools to offer Braille instruction and materials to students with low vision or blindness unless their education team decides it is not appropriate.