HB1888 • 2026

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Crime Education Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: WOODSON, AMATO, BELATTI, CHUN, GARRETT, GRANDINETTI, ILAGAN, IWAMOTO, KAPELA, KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY, KILA, KUSCH, LEE, M., LOWEN, MARTEN, MATAYOSHI, MIYAKE, MORIKAWA, OLDS, PERRUSO, POEPOE, REYES ODA, SAYAMA, SOUZA, TAKAYAMA, TAKENOUCHI, TAM, TARNAS, TODD
Last action: 2026-05-07
Official status: Transmitted to Governor.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

What This Bill Does

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.
DOE; AG; Public Charter Schools; Educational Workers; Sports Officials; Protection and Workplace Safety; Penal Code; Harassment Part I: Requires the Department of Education and state public charter schools to take certain steps to better address the harassment of educational workers, including sports officials.
Authorizes the Attorney General to assist educational workers, including sports officials at department of education or public charter school sporting events, who have been subject to harassment or intentional bodily injury in obtaining a temporary restraining order.
Part II: Includes the intentional, knowing or reckless disruption or interference with a school function, school administration, or school board under the offense of harassment.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

CD1

Hawaii published version CD1

Plain English: HB1888 CD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1888 CD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1888 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
3 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: HB1888 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1888 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1888 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS .

HD2

Hawaii published version HD2

Plain English: HB1888 HD2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1888 HD2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1888 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
2 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS .

HD3

Hawaii published version HD3

Plain English: HB1888 HD3 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1888 HD3 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1888 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
3 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS .

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: HB1888 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1888 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1888 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
3 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

SD2

Hawaii published version SD2

Plain English: HB1888 SD2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1888 SD2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1888 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
3 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

Bill History

2026-05-08 S
Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
2026-05-07 H
Transmitted to Governor.
2026-05-06 H
Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
2026-05-06 H
Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Iwamoto voting no (1) and none excused (0).
2026-05-06 S
Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
2026-05-01 S
48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
2026-05-01 S
Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 150-26).
2026-05-01 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
2026-05-01 H
Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 150-26) as amended in (CD 1).
2026-05-01 S
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Elefante, Rhoads, Wakai, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-05-01 H
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, Sayama, Tarnas, Lee, M., Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-30 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 1:30PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-29 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 1:37PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-28 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-29-26 1:30PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-27 H
Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 1:35PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-22 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 719).
2026-04-21 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; Elefante, Rhoads, Wakai Co-Chairs; DeCorte.
2026-04-20 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).
2026-04-20 H
House Conferees Appointed: Woodson, Sayama, Tarnas, Lee, M. Co-Chairs; Muraoka.
2026-04-20 H
Re-referred to EDN, LAB, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 30
2026-04-17 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).
2026-04-16 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2026-04-14 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 636) in amended form (SD 2).
2026-04-14 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fevella. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2026-04-10 S
48 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
2026-04-10 S
Reported from JDC/WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3807) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
2026-04-09 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-09 S
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.
2026-04-07 S
The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-09-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-03-30 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC/WAM.
2026-03-30 S
Reported from EDU/LBT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3388) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.
2026-03-23 S
The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in LBT were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Lamosao, Moriwaki; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fevella ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara.
2026-03-23 S
The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga.
2026-03-20 S
The committee(s) on EDU/LBT has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2026-03-12 S
Referred to EDU/LBT, JDC/WAM.
2026-03-12 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-03-12 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 312).
2026-03-10 H
Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 3 with Representative(s) Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia voting no (1) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-03-06 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26.
2026-03-06 H
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1139-26) as amended in HD 3, recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-02-24 H
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Hashem, Garcia.
2026-02-20 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 02-24-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-20 H
Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on JHA as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).
2026-02-20 H
Reported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 638-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to JHA.
2026-02-17 H
The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Garrett, Kapela, Kong, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-02-13 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by LAB on Tuesday, 02-17-26 9:00AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-10 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on LAB with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
2026-02-09 H
Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 76-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to LAB.
2026-02-03 H
The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-01-30 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by EDN on Tuesday, 02-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-26 H
Referred to EDN, LAB, JHA, referral sheet 2
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.
DOE; AG; Public Charter Schools; Educational Workers; Sports Officials; Protection and Workplace Safety; Penal Code; Harassment
Part I: Requires the Department of Education and state public charter schools to take certain steps to better address the harassment of educational workers, including sports officials. Authorizes the Attorney General to assist educational workers, including sports officials at department of education or public charter school sporting events, who have been subject to harassment or intentional bodily injury in obtaining a temporary restraining order. Part II: Includes the intentional, knowing or reckless disruption or interference with a school function, school administration, or school board under the offense of harassment. Makes harassment to an educational worker, including sports officials, engaged in the performance of their duty a misdemeanor. (CD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1888

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1888

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the safety of educational workers
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that department of
education employees and state public charter school employees play an important
role in shaping the future and ensuring the welfare of the State's children.
�
Increasing safeguards for educational workers
who may encounter instances of harassment, and the establishment of a mechanism
to address this harassment, is essential to ensuring a secure and conducive
environment for educators and students in the State.

����
The purpose of this Act is to
provide increased protection for educational workers by requiring the
department of education and state public charter schools to take certain steps
to better address the harassment of educational workers.

����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�302A-
�
Educational workers; protection and
workplace safety; harassment; reporting; training.
�
(a)
�

An educational worker shall not be required to work under conditions or
perform tasks when the educational worker is being subjected to harassment, as
provided for in section 711-1106, because of the educational worker's position
as an educational worker.

����
(b)
�
When any educational worker believes that the
educational worker is being subjected to harassment, as provided for in section
711-1106, because of the educational worker's position as an educational
worker, the educational worker may inform the educational worker's immediate
supervisor, who shall take appropriate action using the procedures established
pursuant to subsection (d)(3).

����
(c)
�
An educational worker who seeks judicial
protection from harassment, as provided for in section 711-1106, because of the
educational worker's position as an educational worker, including obtaining a
temporary restraining order, shall be entitled to a leave of absence with pay
to attend court proceedings related to the protection; provided that for those
employees included in bargaining units pursuant to section 89-6, such leave
must be negotiated pursuant to section 89-9(a).
�

The duration of the leave of absence with pay shall be reasonable and
sufficient to allow the educational worker to fulfill their court-related
obligations.

����
(d)
�
The department shall:

����
(1)
�
Conduct a
formal investigation of all incidents of harassment submitted to the department
by an educational worker pursuant to subsection (b);

����
(2)
�
Report to the
proper law enforcement authority within forty-eight hours all incidents of
harassment submitted to the department by an educational worker pursuant to
subsection (b), where the incident of harassment involves a potential threat of
physical harm to the educational worker or another person;

����
(3)
�
Implement
procedures for the handling of harassment of educational workers, including
educational workers excluded from collective bargaining under chapter 89;
provided that:

���������
(A)
�
The
procedures shall be included in the department's opening of the school year
packet provided to all department employees annually; and

���������
(B)
�
The
procedures shall be posted on the department's website;

����
(4)
�
Develop a
written emergency safety plan for aiding educational workers who have
potentially harmful situations, including situations involving harassment,
occurring in their work areas; provided that the department shall give
consideration to suggestions provided by educational workers in developing the
emergency safety plan;

����
(5)
�
Assist
educational workers with any legal actions that may arise from harassment, as
provided for in section 711-1106, because of the educational worker's position
as an educational worker, including reimbursing the educational worker for the
costs incurred from serving temporary restraining orders related to the
harassment, but shall not include the payment of attorney's fees or court
costs; and

����
(6)
�
Implement
annual training for all educational workers on how to use de-escalation
techniques and handle harassment from outside actors.

����
(e)
�
For the purposes of this section,
"educational worker" means any administrator, specialist, counselor,
teacher, or employee of the department; a person who is a volunteer, as defined
in section 90-1, in a school program, activity, or function that is
established, sanctioned, or approved by the department; or a person hired by
the department on a contractual basis and engaged in carrying out a department
function.
"

����
SECTION 3.
�
Chapter 302D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�302D-
�
Educational workers; protection and
workplace safety; harassment; reporting; training.
�
(a)
�

An educational worker shall not be required to work under conditions or
perform tasks when the educational worker is being subjected to harassment, as
provided for in section 711-1106, because of the educational worker's position
as an educational worker.

����
(b)
�
When any educational worker believes that the
educational worker is being subjected to harassment, as provided for in section
711-1106, because of the educational worker's position as an educational
worker, the educational worker may inform the educational worker's immediate
supervisor, who shall take appropriate action using the procedures established
pursuant to subsection (d)(3).

����
(c)
�
An educational worker who seeks judicial
protection from harassment, as provided for in section 711-1106, because of the
educational worker's position as an educational worker, including obtaining a
temporary restraining order, shall be entitled to a leave of absence with pay
to attend court proceedings related to the protection; provided that for those
employees included in bargaining units pursuant to section 89-6, such leave
must be negotiated pursuant to section 89-9(a).
�

The duration of the leave of absence with pay shall be reasonable and
sufficient to allow the educational worker to fulfill their court-related
obligations.

����
(d)
�
A public charter school shall:

����
(1)
�
Conduct a
formal investigation of all incidents of harassment submitted to the public
charter school by an educational worker pursuant to subsection (b);

����
(2)
�
Report to the
proper law enforcement authority within forty-eight hours all incidents of
harassment submitted to the public charter school by an educational worker
pursuant to subsection (b), where the incident of harassment involves a
potential threat of physical harm to the educational worker or another person;

����
(3)
�
Implement
procedures for the handling of harassment of educational workers, including
educational workers excluded from collective bargaining under chapter 89;
provided that:

���������
(A)
�
The
procedures shall be provided to all employees of a public charter school
annually; and

���������
(B)
�
The
procedures shall be posted on the public charter school's website;

����
(4)
�
Develop a
written emergency safety plan for aiding educational workers who have
potentially harmful situations, including situations involving harassment,
occurring in their work areas; provided that the public charter school shall
give consideration to suggestions provided by educational workers in developing
the emergency safety plan;

����
(5)
�
Assist
educational workers with any legal actions that may arise from harassment, as
provided for in section 711-1106, because of the educational worker's position
as an educational worker, including reimbursing the educational worker for the
costs incurred from serving temporary restraining orders related to the
harassment, but shall not include the payment of attorney's fees or court
costs; and

����
(6)
�
Implement
annual training for all educational workers on how to use de-escalation
techniques and handle harassment from outside actors.

����
(e)
�
For the purposes of this section,
"educational worker" means any administrator, specialist, counselor,
teacher, or employee of a public charter school; a person who is a volunteer,
as defined in section 90-1, in a school program, activity, or function that is
established, sanctioned, or approved by a public charter school; or a person
hired by a public charter school on a contractual basis and engaged in carrying
out a public charter school function.
"

����
SECTION 4.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOE;
Public Charter Schools; Educational Workers; Protection and Workplace Safety;
Harassment

Description:

Requires
the Department of Education and public charter schools to take certain steps to
report incidents of harassment and implement procedures for handling harassment
of educational workers.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.