RELATING TO SCHOOLS.

Education

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: ALCOS, GARCIA, WARD
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details about enforcement mechanisms.

Rules for Prayer at Schools

This bill requires schools to provide time and space for elementary students to pray, either alone or in groups, without punishing them for praying or not praying.

What This Bill Does

Schools must allow faculty and staff to provide time and space for elementary students to engage in student-led group prayer or individual student prayer.
Students cannot be punished for participating in prayer or choosing not to pray.

Who It Names or Affects

Elementary school students
School teachers and staff

Terms To Know

Compelled: Forced to do something against your will
Admonish: To warn or criticize someone in a serious way

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if schools don't follow these rules.
It is unclear how this will be enforced.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to EDN, JHA, referral sheet 1
2025-01-17 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-16 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO SCHOOLS.
Education; Public Schools; Elementary Students; Student Prayer
Requires educational institutions with elementary students to allow faculty and staff to provide time and space for students to engage in student-led group prayer or individual student prayer. Prohibits discipline or admonishment based on participation or non-participation in prayer.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB271

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

271

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to schools
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part I, subpart A, to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:

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"
�302A-
�
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Teacher,
faculty, and student prayers.
�
(a)
�
Each educational institution with students in
grade kindergarten, grade six, or any intervening grade shall authorize the
school's faculty and staff to
provide, on a weekly or
more frequent basis, time
and space for students to engage in student-led
group prayer or individual student prayer; provided that:

����
(1)
�
No
student of an educational institution shall be compelled, against the student's
objections or the objections of the student's parent or guardian, to
participate in prayer;

����
(2)
�
No teacher or
staff member of an educational institution shall admonish, discipline, or
harass a student based on the student's participation or non-participation in
prayer; and

����
(3)
�
No teacher or
staff member of an educational institution shall be admonished, disciplined, or
harassed for either deciding or declining to supervise any location in which
students are praying.

����
(b)
�

A copy of this section shall be posted in a conspicuous location at each

educational institution
that is subject to this section.

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(c)
�
The department shall adopt rules under
chapter 91 to carry out the purposes of this section.
"

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SECTION 2.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

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SECTION 3.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Education;
Public Schools; Elementary Students; Student Prayer

Description:

Requires
educational
institutions
with elementary
students to allow faculty and staff to provide time and space for students to
engage in student-led group prayer or individual student prayer.
�
Prohibits discipline or admonishment based on
participation or non-participation in prayer.

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