RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

HB936

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

936

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to financial literacy
.

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 literacy
is a critical skill for ensuring personal and societal financial stability.
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Many students graduate without essential
knowledge of budgeting, saving, investing, or managing credit, which impacts
their ability to achieve financial independence.
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To equip students with these essential skills,
mandating financial literacy education as part of the high school curriculum is
necessary.

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The legislature further finds that
financial literacy empowers students to effectively manage a budget, enabling
them to make informed decisions about spending and saving.
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In Hawaii, where the cost of living is among
the highest in the nation, these skills are particularly vital for maintaining
financial well-being.
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The legislature
believes that teaching students how to balance the demands of daily expenses,
housing costs, and long-term financial goals will ensure students are better
prepared to thrive economically in their communities.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act
is to ensure students are equipped to navigate complex financial challenges and
contribute to a stable economy by requiring the department of education
to develop and implement a statewide financial literacy
curricula plan for public high schools.

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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-
�
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
grades nine through twelve.
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The
department shall review and determine into which courses personal financial
literacy shall be integrated.

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(b)
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Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, all public high schools shall offer
instruction in financial literacy as a requirement for graduation.
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The curriculum shall include, at a minimum, the
following topics:

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(1)
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Basic budgeting
and financial planning;

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(2)
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Saving,
investing, and retirement planning;

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(3)
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Credit
management, including credit scoring and debt management;

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(4)
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Understanding
taxes and tax planning;

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(5)
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Loans and
interest, including mortgages, car loans, and student loans;

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(6)
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Fraud
prevention and identity theft; and

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(7)
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Economic
principles and entrepreneurship.

Public
high schools may integrate financial literacy into existing coursework,
including in the personal transition plan requirement for students; provided
that the topics listed in this subsection are fully covered in the coursework.

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(c)
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The department shall provide professional development opportunities for
teachers on financial literacy, including:

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(1)
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Workshops,
summer programs, and online resources; and

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(2)
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Approved
training from national and state‑level financial education organizations.

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(d)
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The department shall facilitate the integration of financial literacy in
public high school curriculum through:

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(1)
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The development
of phased training schedules to ensure teachers are prepared to implement the
curriculum by the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year; and

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(2)
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Conducting
pilot programs in select schools prior to the 2026-2027 school year to test and
refine the financial literacy curriculum.

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(e)
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The department may collaborate with public
agencies and private and nonprofit organizations to:

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(1)
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Develop
interactive and engaging teaching materials; and

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(2)
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Provide online
tools and curriculum guides.

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(f)
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There is established within the department's
office of curriculum and instructional design a coordinator position to:

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(1)
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Oversee the
implementation of the financial literacy curriculum;

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(2)
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Ensure
consistency and quality in the financial literacy curriculum, including by
reviewing the curriculum every three years; and

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(3)
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Solicit
feedback from educators, students, and financial experts to refine and improve
the financial literacy curriculum.

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(g)
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The board shall publish any approved
financial literacy resources and curriculum standards established pursuant to
this section on the board's website.

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(h)
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The board shall adopt rules in accordance
with chapter 91 necessary to implement this section.

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(i)
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As used in this section:

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"Financial literacy"
means the knowledge and skills required to make informed and effective
decisions regarding the use and management of financial resources.
"

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SECTION 3.
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(a)
�
By
December 31, 2025, the department of education shall:

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(1)
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Finalize the
financial literacy curriculum guidelines and professional development plans
required pursuant to section 302A- , Hawaii Revised Statutes;
and

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(2)
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Publish a plan for
the implementation of financial literacy in public high schools.

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(b)
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Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year:

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(1)
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All public high
schools shall implement the financial literacy graduation requirement as
required pursuant to section 302A- (b), Hawaii Revised
Statutes; and

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(2)
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Establish a
dedicated transition support team to provide on-site assistance during the
first year of the implementation of the financial literacy curriculum required
pursuant to section 302A- , Hawaii Revised Statutes.

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SECTION 4.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Board of
Education; Department of Education; Financial Literacy; Curriculum; Public High
Schools; Professional Development

Description:

Beginning
with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department of Education to develop
and implement a statewide financial literacy curricula plan for public high
schools.
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Requires all public high
schools to offer instruction in financial literacy as a requirement for
graduation.
�
Requires the Department of
Education to provide professional development to teachers on financial
literacy.
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Requires the Board of
Education to adopt administrative rules to implement the financial literacy
education curriculum.

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