HB549 • 2026

RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

Budget

Active

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

Sponsor: GARRETT, CHUN, EVSLIN, KILA, LA CHICA, LEE, M., MARTEN, OLDS, SAYAMA, TAKAYAMA, TAKENOUCHI
Last action: 2026-05-01
Official status: Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 5:50PM in Conference Room 229.
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 AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

What This Bill Does

RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.
UH; Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program; Childcare; Early Learning Opportunities; Professions and Occupations; Reports; Appropriations ($) Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs.
Requires an annual report to the Legislature.
Appropriates funds.

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.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: HB549 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB549 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
549 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM .

HD2

Hawaii published version HD2

Plain English: HB549 HD2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB549 HD2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
549 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D.
2 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM .

HD3

Hawaii published version HD3

Plain English: HB549 HD3 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB549 HD3 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
549 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D.
3 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM .

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: HB549 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB549 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
549 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D.
3 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

Bill History

2026-05-01 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 5:50PM in Conference Room 229.
2026-05-01 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 5:15PM in Conference Room 229.
2026-04-30 H
Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Friday, 05-01-26 3:00PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-30 H
Received notice of change in Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 800).
2026-04-30 S
Senate Conferees Changed: Senator Kidani discharged as Chair; Added as Co-Chair.
2026-04-30 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 798).
2026-04-30 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim, Kidani Chairs; Hashimoto, DeCorte.
2026-04-29 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 875).
2026-04-28 H
House Conferees Appointed: Garrett, Marten, Lee, M. Co-Chairs; Amato, Souza.
2026-04-17 S
Re-Referred to EDU, WAM.
2026-04-02 S
Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
2026-04-01 H
House Conferee(s) discharged.
2026-03-20 H
Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 409).
2026-03-20 S
Senate Conferee(s) discharged.
2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-04-24 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-25-25 3:05PM; Conference Room 229.
2025-04-22 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-24-25 1:30PM; Conference Room 229.
2025-04-21 S
Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-22-25 1:30PM; Conference Room 229.
2025-04-17 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 828).
2025-04-17 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; Kidani, Kanuha Co-Chairs; DeCorte.
2025-04-15 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 732).
2025-04-14 H
House Conferees Appointed: Garrett, Marten, Holt Co-Chairs; Amato, Souza.
2025-04-11 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 704).
2025-04-10 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2025-04-08 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 654) in amended form (SD 1).
2025-04-08 S
Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2025-04-04 S
One Day Notice 04-08-25.
2025-04-04 S
Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1787) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2025-04-02 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-03-31 S
The committee on WAM has added the measure to decision making scheduled on 04-02-25 10:01AM; CR 211 & Videoconference.
2025-03-21 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2025-03-21 S
Reported from HRE/EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1273) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
2025-03-17 S
The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kidani, Kim, Hashimoto, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-03-17 S
The committee(s) on HRE recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HRE were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, Hashimoto; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Fevella.
2025-03-11 S
The committee(s) on HRE/EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-17-25 3:01PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2025-03-06 S
Referred to HRE/EDU, WAM.
2025-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2025-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 254).
2025-03-04 H
Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 3 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
2025-02-28 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-04-25.
2025-02-28 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1028) as amended in HD 3, recommending passage on Third Reading.
2025-02-26 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Alcos, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.
2025-02-26 H
Bill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 02-26-25 11:00AM in conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-25 H
The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 02-26-25.
2025-02-21 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 02-25-25 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-14 H
Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4).
2025-02-14 H
Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 652) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.
2025-02-11 H
The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Chun, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2025-02-06 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HSH on Tuesday, 02-11-25 9:45AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-04 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on HSH with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Kong, Ward excused (3).
2025-02-04 H
Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 149) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to HSH.
2025-01-31 H
The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 11 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Amato, Evslin, Kapela, Kila, La Chica, Olds, Sayama, Woodson, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-01-28 H
Bill re-scheduled to be heard by HED on Friday, 01-31-25 2:15PM in conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-28 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HED on Friday, 01-31-25 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to HED, HSH, FIN, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.
UH; Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program; Childcare; Early Learning Opportunities; Professions and Occupations; Reports; Appropriations ($)
Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB549

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

549

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to an early learning apprenticeship grant program
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that quality learning
experiences during a child's earliest years improve long-term, multi-general
outcomes and contribute to a strong, skilled workforce.
�
High-quality early learning programs support the
growth and development of children, a working family's ability to secure and
sustain employment and economic vitality, promote the creation of jobs and
workforce support, and generate substantial revenue for the State.

����
The
legislature notes that despite the growing demand for well-trained early
learning professionals, the field is experiencing a shortage of qualified and
well-compensated workers.
�
Therefore, the
legislature recognizes that it is necessary to support the recruitment,
retention, and professional development of early learning professionals as an
investment in the workforce that supports the State's youngest children and
working families, which will contribute to the current and future prosperity of
the State.

����
The
legislature further finds that registered apprenticeship programs are proven
models which create skilled workforces tailored to the specialized needs of
their respective industries while fostering economic growth.
�
Registered apprenticeship programs are
high-quality, industry-driven career pathways that combine on-the-job training
with classroom instruction to prepare workers for skilled careers.
�
Registered apprenticeship programs ensure
businesses have access to well‑ trained and qualified employees while
also ensuring that employees are fairly compensated commensurate to the
necessary qualifications.
�
Furthermore,
apprenticeship programs offer an accessible pathway to stable careers, assist
in developing technical skills, upskill the existing workforce, and encourage a
culture of lifelong learning and continuous professional development.

����
The
legislature also finds that the first federally‑approved early learning
apprenticeship program recently launched to serve as a critical recruitment and
retention pathway for prospective early learning professionals and increase
access to early learning opportunities.
�

However, the legislature recognizes that due to the significant labor
costs required of the industry, many early learning program service providers
have difficulty maintaining the federal compensation requirement and therefore,
are disincentivized in participating in an early learning apprenticeship
program.

����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to establish an early learning apprenticeship grant program,
to be administered by the university of Hawaii, to assist publicly- or privately‑run
early learning program service providers participating in state- and
federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs.

����
SECTION
2.
�
Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to subpart M of part IV to be
appropriately designated and to read as follows:

����
"
�304A-
�
Early learning apprenticeship grant
program; established.
�
(a)
�
There is established an early learning
apprenticeship grant program to be administered by the university to provide
financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to
participate in early learning apprenticeship programs.

����
(b)
�
The university shall award grants to an early
learning program service provider licensed or registered to provide child care
in the State that participates in a state- or federally‑approved early
learning apprenticeship program as an employer or sponsor; provided that
priority shall be given to an early learning program service provider that:

����
(1)
�
Is licensed or registered to provide
care for infants and toddlers; and

����
(2)
�
Enrolls children under the age of
three.

����
(c)

�
The
university shall award the grant amount per license; provided that the
university shall consider the following factors when determining the grant
amount:

����
(1)
�
The size of an early learning
program service provider participating in a state- or federally-approved early
learning apprenticeship program as an employer;

����
(2)
�
The difference between the statutorily-required
wage rates or prevailing industry standard wage rates, whichever is higher, and
the early learning program service provider's current wage rates; and

����
(3)
�
Other factors, including but not
limited to stipend bonuses or wage supplements.

����
(d)
�
The university shall award grants based on
criteria developed by the university in consultation with the executive office
on early learning.

����
(e)
�
The grant program shall provide financial
assistance to eligible early learning program service providers to cover the
costs associated with their participation in a state- or federally-approved
early learning apprenticeship program, including but not limited to:

����
(1)
�
Personnel expenses and wages;

����
(2)
�
Training expenses;

����
(3)
�
Mentorship stipends;

����
(4)
�
Administrative costs; and

����
(5)
�
Wage or salary increases, wage
supplements, or other compensation enhancements as needed to attract and retain
qualified employees within the state- or federally-approved apprenticeship
framework, including apprentice and other early learning employees;

provided
that the wages shall match statutorily-required wage requirements or prevailing
industry standards, whichever is higher.

����
(f)
�
The university may cooperate with the
counties to administer the grant program.

����
(g)
�
The university shall submit a report of its
findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation regarding the
grant program to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of each regular session.
�
The
report shall include at minimum:

����
(1)
�
T
he
number of early learning program service providers
receiving grants pursuant to the program;

����
(2)
�
The number of apprentices hired by
early learning program
service providers
receiving grants under the program;

����
(3)
�
Total amount of funds awarded to
early learning program
service providers
pursuant the program; and

����
(4)
�
The purposes for which the
early learning program
service providers
used the awarded grants, including documentation on
wages paid or wage increases given to qualified employees within the state- or
federally‑approved apprenticeship framework, including apprentices and
other early learning employees.

����
(h)
�
For the purposes of this section:

����
"Early
learning" has the same meaning as defined in section 302L-1.

����
"Early
learning program" means a publicly- or privately-run program within the
State's early learning system governed pursuant to chapter 302L.
�
"Early learning program" includes
center-based programs, family child care programs, family-child interaction
learning programs, and home-based instruction programs.

����
"Grant
program" means the early learning apprenticeship program.
"

����
SECTION
3.
�
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 2025-2026 and the same
sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the
university of Hawaii to implement and administer the early learning
apprenticeship grant program.

����
The
sums

appropriated shall be expended
by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION
4.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1,
2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

UH; Early
Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program; Childcare; Early Learning Opportunities;
Professions and Occupations; Reports; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes
an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the
University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program
service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved
early learning apprenticeship programs.
�
Requires
an annual report to the Legislature.
�
Appropriates
funds.

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