RELATING TO EDUCATION.

HB865

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

865

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO EDUCATION
.

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 financial education is a lifelong learning process that empowers
individuals to plan for their futures.
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Historically, the education system has assumed that students learn
important financial skills from their families.
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However, not all students are being taught the financial skills they
will need to be successful later in life.

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The
legislature also finds that a lack of financial literacy poses a significant
barrier for individuals seeking to achieve financial prosperity and
stability.
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Personal financial education
is essential to ensure that Hawaii's youth are prepared to manage money,
credit, and debt, and to become responsible workers, heads of households,
investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and educated citizens.

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The
legislature further finds that it is of the utmost importance to educate
Hawaii's youth in economic and financial matters to prepare them for financial
independence through the development of fiscal responsibility and financial
management skills.

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Therefore,
the purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to include
the teaching of financial literacy for grades kindergarten through twelve.

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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, subpart B, to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

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�302A-
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Financial literacy; curricula plan; public
schools.
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(a)
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The department shall develop and implement a
statewide financial literacy curricula plan for public school students in
kindergarten through grade twelve.

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(b)
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Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year,
instruction shall be provided in financial literacy in all public schools for
students in kindergarten through grade eight.
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The curriculum shall include but not be limited to:

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(1)
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The true cost of credit;

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(2)
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Choosing and managing a credit card;

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(3)
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Borrowing money for an automobile or
other large purchase;

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(4)
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Home mortgages;

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(5)
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Credit scoring and credit reports;
and

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(6)
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Other relevant financial literacy
issues.

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The
department shall review and determine into which courses and grade levels personal
financial literacy shall be integrated.

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(c)
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Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year,
instruction shall be provided in financial literacy in all public schools for
students in grades nine through twelve.
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All students in grades nine through twelve shall complete a one-half
credit course in financial literacy and a passing grade in the course shall be
required for graduation.
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The curriculum
shall include, at a minimum, standards established by the second edition of the
Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics and the 2013 National Standards
for Financial Literacy, as developed by the Council for Economic Education.
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The financial literacy course shall provide
instruction on economic principles and shall provide personal financial
literacy instruction that shall include but not be limited to the following:

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(1)
�
The true cost of credit;

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(2)
�
Choosing and managing a credit card;

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(3)
�
Borrowing money for an automobile or
other large purchase;

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(4)
�
Home mortgages;

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(5)
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Credit scoring and credit reports;

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(6)
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Planning and paying for
postsecondary education; and

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(7)
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Other relevant financial literacy
issues.

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The
department shall review and determine into which courses and grade levels personal
financial literacy shall be integrated.

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(d)
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The board shall provide teachers with professional
development to teach financial literacy courses.
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The board shall determine a list of approved
courses and providers who offer professional development in financial
literacy.
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Teachers shall complete
financial literacy professional development before teaching financial literacy
courses in public schools.
"

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SECTION 3.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOE; BOE; Financial Literacy; K-12 Coursework;
Professional Development

Description:

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department
of Education to include the teaching of financial literacy in kindergarten
through grade twelve.
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Requires students
in grades nine through twelve to complete a one-half credit in financial
literacy before graduation.
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Requires the
Board of Education to provide professional development to teachers who are
teaching financial literacy courses.

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