RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

SB814

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

814

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the university of hawaii
.

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 certain
individuals who came to the United States as children and meet several conditions
may request consideration of deferred removal action against them for a certain
period of time.
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The Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program provides undocumented immigrants protection
from deportation and a work permit.

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The
legislature further finds that postsecondary education prepares graduates for
jobs and career paths that typically pay higher wages, which enables them to
achieve further educational and career goals and better afford Hawaii's high
cost of living.
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The legislature believes
that additional safeguards are necessary to ensure that individuals under the
DACA program are eligible and able to receive adequate funding for enrollment
in postsecondary education programs at the university of Hawaii and are able to
pursue higher paying jobs and career paths.

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The legislature also finds that increasing
the number of Hawaii residents who may enroll in and receive postsecondary
education at the university of Hawaii is a matter of statewide concern pursuant
to article X, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution.

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The
purpose of this Act is to allow certain undocumented students to be considered
residents of the State for the purposes of tuition, financial assistance, and
university of Hawaii program participation under certain conditions.

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SECTION
2.
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Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

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"
�304A-
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Undocumented students; tuition, financial
assistance, and fees.
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(a)
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An undocumented student shall be considered a
resident of the State for the purposes of tuition, financial assistance, and
university program participation to the extent permitted under applicable
federal law; provided that the undocumented student has, at the time of
application:

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(1)
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Established residency by domiciling
and being physically present in the State for at least twelve consecutive
months;

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(2)
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Attended a public high school or
private high school in the United States for at least three years;

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(3)
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Attained a diploma from a public
high school or private high school or the equivalent thereof in the United
States; and

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(4)
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Filed for Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals with the Department of Homeland Security United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services, or filed an affidavit with the university
affirming the undocumented student's intent to file the application as soon as
the undocumented student is able.

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(b)
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For the purposes of this section,
"undocumented student" means a student who is not a United States
citizen, legal permanent resident, or non-immigrant alien and does not possess
legal documentation of the student's status.
"

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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:

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Report Title:

UH;
Undocumented Students; Tuition; Financial Aid; Resident Status; Deferred Action
for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Description:

Allows
certain undocumented students to be considered residents of the State for the
purposes of tuition, financial assistance, and University of Hawaii program
participation under certain conditions.

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