RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

SB2666

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2666

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

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:

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SECTION 1.
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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.
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High-quality early learning programs support
the growth and development of children, help working families to secure and
sustain employment and economic vitality, promote the creation of jobs and
workforce support, and generate substantial revenue for the State.

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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.
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Therefore, the legislature recognizes that it
is necessary to support the recruitment, retention, and professional
development of early learning professionals as an investment in a workforce
that supports the State's youngest children and working families, which will
contribute to the current and future prosperity of the State.

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The legislature further finds that
registered apprenticeship programs are proven models that create skilled
workforces tailored to the specialized needs of their respective industries
while fostering economic growth.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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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 are therefore disincentivized from
participating in early learning apprenticeship programs.

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The legislature declares that the
establishment of an early learning apprenticeship grant program is a matter of
statewide concern.

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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.

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SECTION 2.
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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:

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"
�304A-
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Early
learning apprenticeship grant program; established.
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(a)
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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.

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(b)
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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:

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

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(2)
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Enrolls
children under the age of three.

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(c)
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The university shall determine the grant amount per license; provided
that the university shall consider the following factors when determining the
grant amount:

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

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(2)
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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

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

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

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(e)
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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:

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(1)
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Personnel
expenses and wages;

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(2)
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Training
expenses;

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(3)
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Mentorship
stipends;

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(4)
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Administrative
costs; and

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(5)
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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 apprentices and other early learning
employees;

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

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

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(g)
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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.
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The report shall
include at minimum:

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

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

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

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(4)
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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.

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(h)
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For the purposes of this section:

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

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

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

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SECTION
3.
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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 university of
Hawaii to implement and administer the early learning apprenticeship grant
program.

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

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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 on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

UH; Early
Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program; Childcare; Early Learning Opportunities;
Reports; Appropriation

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.
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Requires an annual report to the Legislature.
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Appropriates funds.

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