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SB2684
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2684
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to child well-being
.
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 pregnancy and early childhood are the most
financially fragile periods in a family's life, yet also the most critical for
a child's long-term development.
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Scientific
research and global experience demonstrate that direct support during these
formative years yields lifelong benefits for children and society as a whole.
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The legislature further finds that while over one
hundred forty countries - representing seventy per cent of the world - provide
direct child benefits, Hawaii continues to see alarming rates of economic
instability among new families, including the highest concentration of
houseless individuals being infants.
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Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to
establish the Hawaii Rx kids program to provide direct financial support to all
expectant mothers, ensuring every child in the State has a healthy and secure
start to life.
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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to
read as follows:
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�346-
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Hawaii
Rx kids program; expectant mothers; households; payments.
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(a)
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The department shall establish and administer
a Hawaii Rx kids program to improve the economic stability of households with
very young children who reside in the State.
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(b)
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The Hawaii Rx kids program shall provide:
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(1)
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A one-time
unconditional
payment of $1,500 to each expectant mother during pregnancy;
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(2)
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Six
monthly
payments of $500 beginning at the child's birth and continuing through the
child's sixth month of life; and
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(3)
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Subject to available
funds, six additional
monthly payments of $500 through the child's
twelfth month of life;
provided that the department may make
cost-of-living adjustments to the payment amounts.
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(c)
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The department may contract with a
third-party administrator to operate and manage the Hawaii Rx kids program;
provided that the cost of administering the program shall not exceed fifteen
per cent of the total program costs.
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(d)
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Any plan for expenditure of temporary
assistance for needy families funds developed pursuant to section 346‑51.5(b)(1)
shall be updated to account for expenditures for household payments.
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The expenditure of funds for the
administration of household payments shall be exempt from chapters 103D and
103F.
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Payments under the program that
are sourced from temporary assistance for needy families funds may only be made
to expectant mothers:
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(1)
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Who qualify for
benefits under the State's medicaid program; or
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(2)
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Whose family
income does not exceed three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level for
a family of applicable size, including the expected unborn child or children.
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(e)
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The department may establish rules as
necessary pursuant to chapter 91 for the administration of the program.
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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:
Hawaii Rx
Kids Program; Expectant Mothers; Households; Payments; Department of Human
Services
Description:
Requires
the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a Hawaii Rx kids
program to improve the economic stability of households with very young
children who reside in the State through a one-time payment and several monthly
payments.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.