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HB1596
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1596
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to student basic needs support at the university of hawaii
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION
1.
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The legislature finds that
post-secondary student success depends not only on access to academic programs but
also on students' ability to meet basic needs while enrolled in school.
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Barriers such as housing instability, food
insecurity, transportation challenges, and limited access to public benefits
can adversely affect students' persistence, credit accumulation, and degree
completion.
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The
legislature further finds that the university of Hawaii system lacks
Hawaii-specific data on the effectiveness of coordinated basic needs support,
including housing stability, in improving student outcomes.
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The
legislature also finds that in accordance with article X, section 6, of the
Hawaii State Constitution, this Act involves a matter of statewide concern.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to establish a limited pilot program at a single university
of Hawaii campus to assess whether targeted basic needs support, including
housing stability, improves student persistence and academic progress, prior to
consideration of any systemwide expansion.
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SECTION
2.
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(a)
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As used in this Act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
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"Basic
needs" means access to food, transportation, healthcare, stable housing,
and other essential supports necessary for a student's ability to remain enrolled
in school and make academic progress.
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"Pilot
campus" means the university of Hawaii system campus selected by the board
of regents in subsection (c).
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"Pilot
program" means the university of Hawaii basic needs pilot program
established by subsection (b).
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"Student
experiencing housing instability" means a student who lacks a fixed,
regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including students living in
temporary housing, emergency shelters, or other unstable housing arrangements,
consistent with applicable federal guidance for post-secondary students.
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(b)
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The university of Hawaii shall establish a basic
needs pilot program to assist students.
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(c)
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The board of regents of the university of
Hawaii shall select one campus within the university of Hawaii system, at which
a basic needs pilot campus plan shall be established.
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The board of regents shall select the campus
based on demonstrated student need and the campus' capacity to implement and
evaluate the pilot program.
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(d)
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There shall be established one benefits
navigator position at the pilot campus to assist students in accessing:
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(1)
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Public benefits and assistance programs;
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(2)
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Emergency financial or basic needs assistance;
and
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(3)
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Community-based resources and services.
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The
benefits navigator shall be based at a designated location at the pilot campus,
to which students shall be directed to receive assistance.
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(e)
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The pilot campus, in coordination with the
benefits navigator, shall develop and periodically update a basic needs pilot
campus plan, which shall:
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(1)
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Identify existing campus resources that address
student basic needs;
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(2)
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Assess barriers to access and use of the
resources identified in paragraph (1);
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(3)
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Identify opportunities for partnerships with
community-based organizations;
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(4)
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Outline outreach strategies to inform students
of available supports; and
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(5)
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Assess the need for additional state or
federal resources.
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SECTION
3.
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(a)
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Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, the university of Hawaii
shall conduct an annual student basic needs survey at the pilot campus to
assess:
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(1)
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Housing stability;
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(2)
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Food security;
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(3)
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Access to transportation; and
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(4)
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Awareness and use of available basic needs
resources.
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(b)
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Data from the survey conducted pursuant to
subsection (a) shall be collected and reported in the aggregate and in
compliance with all applicable state and federal privacy laws, including the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
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(c)
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No later than thirty days prior to the
regular sessions of 2027 and 2028, the university of Hawaii shall submit to the
legislature a report that describes:
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(1)
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The results of the survey conducted pursuant
to subsection (a);
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(2)
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Students' use of services offered by the pilot
program; and
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(3)
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Observed effects on student persistence and
academic progress.
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SECTION
4.
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(a)
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The university of Hawaii may establish a housing stability pilot project
at the pilot campus to provide targeted support to students experiencing
housing instability.
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(b)
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Subject to available funding, the housing
stability pilot project may include:
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(1)
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Short-term emergency housing assistance;
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(2)
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Referrals to housing support organizations;
and
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(3)
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Case coordination to support continued
enrollment.
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(c)
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If established, the housing stability pilot
project shall operate for a period not to exceed two academic years, unless
extended by the legislature.
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(d)
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No later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular session following the conclusion of any housing
stability pilot project, the university of Hawaii shall submit to the
legislature an evaluation report that includes:
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(1)
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Student participation levels in the housing
stability pilot project;
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(2)
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Retention and academic progress indicators;
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(3)
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The costs of the housing stability pilot
project; and
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(4)
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Recommendations regarding continuation,
modification, or expansion of the housing stability pilot project.
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SECTION
5.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the university
of Hawaii basic needs pilot program established by section 2(b) and housing
stability pilot project established by section 4(a) of this Act; provided that
provided that the appropriation shall support only the university of Hawaii pilot
campus, identified in section 2(c) of this Act, and related evaluation
activities, including:
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(1)
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$
for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) benefits navigator position, established
by section 2(d) of this Act;
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(2)
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$
to conduct the annual student basic needs survey pursuant to section 3(a) of
this Act; and
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(3)
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$
to implement a housing stability pilot project pursuant to section 4 of this
Act.
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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of
this Act.
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SECTION 6.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026,
and shall be repealed on June 30, 2028.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
University
of Hawaii; Basic Needs Pilot Program; Housing Stability Pilot Project;
Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
a Basic Needs Pilot Program at a single campus of the University of Hawaii
system.
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Authorizes the establishment of
a Housing Stability Pilot Project at that campus.
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Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.