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HB245
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
245
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to student heat exposure safety
.
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 Hawaii has
experienced rising air temperatures, with annual peak averages consistently
breaking record highs.
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These increases,
along with Hawaii's high average annual relative humidity, pose significant
challenges for human thermoregulation.
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The legislature further finds that
exercising in hot and humid weather can be dangerous, as the body's ability to
cool itself through sweating becomes less effective under humid
conditions.
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When sweat cannot evaporate
efficiently due to high moisture levels in the air, the risk of heat-related
illnesses increases.
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The legislature also finds that
children and younger athletes are particularly vulnerable to exertional heat
illness due to slower heat acclimatization, reduced thermoregulation
capabilities compared to adults, and external pressures from coaches and parents
to exceed their physical limits.
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Additionally, children often lack control over the timing and conditions
of outdoor activities, such as recess and sports practices, and may have
limited access to hydration during these activities.
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The legislature further finds that
shade can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses by providing
cooler spaces for students to exercise, train, and play.
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Expanding shaded areas on school campuses and
properties is critical for creating safer environments during outdoor
activities.
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Additionally, identifying
and developing areas on campuses to increase shade access is an essential
strategy for protecting children from dangerous levels of heat.
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The legislature also finds that
wet-bulb globe temperature measurements are the gold standard for assessing
heat stress, as adopted by organizations such as the United States military,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Collegiate Athletic
Association, and professional sports leagues.
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Wet-bulb globe thermometers are also
relatively affordable for schools and athletic departments to acquire and use,
making them a practical tool for ensuring safer outdoor activities.
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Despite these known challenges and
expected increasing temperatures, Hawaii currently lacks statewide guidelines
for managing extreme heat during outdoor recreational activities, leaving
children at risk of preventable heat-related illnesses.
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Therefore, purpose of this Act is to:
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(1)
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Require and
appropriate funds for the department of education, in collaboration with the
department of health, to develop statewide guidelines related to managing heat
exposure to protect students' health during outdoor activities; and
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(2)
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Appropriate funds
for wet-bulb globe temperature thermometers for all public and charter schools
statewide.
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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:
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"
�302A-
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Guidelines
for outdoor activities during extreme heat.
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(a)
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The department, in collaboration with the
department of health, shall develop statewide guidelines for managing heat
exposure to protect students' health during outdoor activities.
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These guidelines shall:
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(1)
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Apply to all
public and charter schools in the State;
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(2)
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Be utilized for
sports practices, conditioning workouts, recess, marching band practice, junior
reserve officers' training corps activities, and other outdoor activities;
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(3)
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Be based on
wet-bulb globe temperature as the standard for measuring heat stress; and
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(4)
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Include
recommendations for expanding shaded areas on campuses to provide cooler
environments for exercise, training, and play.
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(b)
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The guidelines shall include:
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(1)
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Thresholds for
modifying, postponing, or canceling outdoor activities based on wet-bulb glob
temperature measurements;
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(2)
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Protocols for
ensuring adequate hydration during outdoor activities;
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(3)
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Training for
school staff on recognizing and responding to symptoms of exertional heat
illness;
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(4)
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Measures to
safeguard students with medical conditions or medications that impair
thermoregulation;
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(5)
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Recommendations
for acclimatizing or reacclimatizing students returning to outdoor activities
after a period of absence; and
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(6)
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Recommendations
for schools to identify and develop areas on campuses to expand shade access as
a strategy to improve outdoor safety and reduce heat exposure.
"
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SECTION 3.
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There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $20,000 or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may
be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of education to
develop the recommendations for the guidelines pursuant to this Act.
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The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for
the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 4.
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There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $20,000 or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may
be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of education to
provide wet-bulb globe temperature thermometers to all public and charter
schools statewide.
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The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for
the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 5.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 6.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Department
of Education; Heat Exposure; Guidelines; Appropriation
Description:
Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Education,
in collaboration with the Department of Health, to develop statewide guidelines
related to managing heat exposure to protect students' health during outdoor
activities.
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Appropriates funds for
wet-bulb globe temperature thermometers for all public and charter schools
statewide.
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.