THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2767
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
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:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that attracting and retaining qualified science and mathematics teachers in public schools in Hawaii is critical to workforce development and the State's economy.  The legislature further finds that the University of Hawaii currently administers the Hawaii educator loan program, which offers financial assistance for students and teachers who complete a state-approved teacher education program and agree to teach as a full-time teacher in the Hawaii public school system in hard-to-fill positions including special education, regular education shortage categories, or Title 1 schools, and at schools located in a rural area in the State.  The legislature finds that offering similar financial incentives to science and mathematics majors at the University of Hawaii at Manoa would provide a benefit both for these future teachers and for the Hawaii public schools.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a scholarship and tuition waiver program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa for science and mathematics majors who agree to teach as full-time teachers in the Hawaii public school system in hard-to-fill positions.

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

"§304A-   University of Hawaii scholarship and tuition waiver program; eligibility, amounts. (a)  There is established the University of Hawaii scholarship and tuition waiver program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support to students who:

(1) Agree to complete a state-approved teacher education program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in a mathematics or science major, as determined by the university; and

(2) Agree to teach as a full-time teacher for a period of time to be determined by the university in the Hawaii public school system in a hard-to-fill position, including special education, regular education shortage categories, Title 1 schools, or at schools located in rural areas of the State, as determined by the superintendent of education.

(b)  Awards made by the board of regents pursuant to this section shall be made only upon proof of satisfaction of all eligibility requirements listed in subsection (a).  The amount of each award that a student may receive under this section shall be the aggregate amount equivalent to tuition payments and costs of textbooks and other instructional materials necessary to complete a state-approved teacher education program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  The amount to be awarded to each student shall be determined and distributed annually by the board of regents.

(c)  The board of regents shall adopt rules, including penalties for failure to uphold all agreements under subsection (a), pursuant to chapter 91, to administer the University of Hawaii scholarship and tuition waiver program."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

University of Hawaii Scholarship and Tuition Waiver Program

Description:

Establishes the University of Hawaii scholarship and tuition waiver program to provide financial assistance to students who agree to complete a state-approved teacher education program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in a mathematics or science major and agree to teach as full-time teachers in the Hawaii public school system in hard-to-fill positions.

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