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SB2496
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2496
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to early learning
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that family-child interaction
learning programs provide children from birth to age five with engaging,
literacy-rich early learning environments that foster social and emotional
development and support school readiness.
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Family-child interaction learning programs
include two main components: high-quality early childhood learning and parent
education, which equips parents and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to
support their children's education and healthy family dynamics.
The legislature further
finds that family-child interaction learning programs promote positive
childhood experiences, which are strongly linked to better outcomes across the child's
lifetime.
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Individuals who reported
having positive childhood experiences had better adult physical health, were
less likely to report adult depression or mental health issues, were less
likely to engage in substance use and delinquent behavior and had healthier
family dynamics.
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The
legislature also finds that family-child interaction learning programs are
uniquely positioned to improve early detection of developmental delays, expand
access to infant and early childhood mental health services, and connect
families with a wide variety of social services.
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Moreover,
the legislature finds that proposed cuts to federal funding that has
historically supported family-child interaction learning programs would reduce
the number of these programs from sixty-four to three.
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This reduction would significantly affect local
children and families and result in the loss of nearly one hundred twenty early
childhood educator positions.
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Therefore,
the purpose of this Act is to sustain the number of family-child interaction
learning programs in the State by appropriating funds to the executive office
on early learning to support family-child interaction learning programs.
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SECTION
2.
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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 2026-2027 for the
executive office on early learning to administer funding for family-child
interaction learning programs.
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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on early learning for
the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION
3.
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For purposes of this Act, the
executive office on early learning may contract with third-party providers of
family-child interaction learning programs and may collaborate with the
counties to administer funding for family-child interaction learning programs.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Family-child
Interaction Learning Programs; Executive Office on Early Learning;
Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates
funds to the Executive Office on Early Learning to administer funding for
family-child interaction learning programs.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.