THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3087
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
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. Section 302A-1151.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§302A-1151.5 Use of vacant public school facilities. (a) When the department considers whether to close any particular public school, it shall simultaneously give reasonable consideration to making all or portions of the facilities of the public school available to charter schools and [pre-plus] early learning programs; provided that the facilities may be used for any other purpose the board deems appropriate.

(b) The department shall identify unused public school facilities that may be appropriate for:

(1) Charter schools;

(2) Early learning programs[, such as the pre-plus program]; and

(3) Any other purpose the board deems appropriate.

Suitable empty classrooms, as determined by the department, shall be inventoried for potential use by charter schools, early learning programs, [such as the pre-plus program,] or for any other purpose the board deems appropriate. Priority shall be given to facilities on sites with sufficient space for three or more classrooms.

(c) The department shall adopt rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(d) For purposes of this section, "public school" means any school that falls within the definition of public schools in section 302A-101, except for charter schools.

[[](e)[]] Upon receipt of a notice pursuant to subsection (b), the executive office on early learning shall solicit applications from [pre-plus] early learning programs interested in using and occupying all or portions of the facilities of the public school and submit a prioritized list of [pre-plus] early learning programs to the department for final determination of which [pre-plus] early learning program, if any, shall be authorized to use and occupy the public school facilities."

SECTION 2. Section 302D-35, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) Each department shall provide notice to the superintendent and state public charter school commission identifying suitable unused facilities that may be appropriate for:

(1) Public charter schools; and

(2) Early learning programs[, including the pre-plus program,] that are affiliated with a public charter school.

The department of accounting and general services shall inventory the suitable facilities, and, in determining suitability for educational reuse, priority shall be given to facilities on sites with sufficient space for three or more classrooms."

SECTION 3. Section 302L-1.7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§302L-1.7 Early learning [facilities; pre-plus.] programs. (a) There is established [the pre-plus] a program within the office to expand access to affordable and high-quality early learning for children from low-income families who are not otherwise eligible for kindergarten, by allowing [preschool programs] early learning programs to be established on public school campuses and other available public properties through public-private partnerships.

(b) The office[, the department of education, and the department of human services] shall work collaboratively with other applicable public agencies to [develop suitable pre-plus classrooms on department of education campuses] contract with early learning programs statewide[, including charter conversion charter school campuses]. The [executive] office [on early learning, with the department of education and department of human services,] and other applicable public agencies shall coordinate site selection for additional [pre-plus programs at] early learning programs on public school sites[,] and other available public properties, with priority given to [public school sites that serve at-risk children as defined in section 302L-1, including] sites located in areas with limited access to early learning programs and services."

SECTION 4. Section 302L-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (p) to read as follows:

"(p) The department of education may use available classrooms for public preschool programs statewide. Preschool classrooms established pursuant to this section shall be in addition to any classrooms used for [the pre-plus program] early learning programs established pursuant to section 302L-1.7."

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	BY REQUEST

Report Title:

Executive Office on Early Learning; Early Learning Facilities

Description:

Expands access to early learning programs on other state properties and public lands besides Department of Education public school campuses.

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