Hawaii HB 333: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Bill Text

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
1 SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the American Academy
2 of Pediatrics recommends that the first school bell ring no
3 earlier than 8:30 a.m. nationwide. Early school start times are
4 associated with students sleeping less, and, along with
5 irritability and fatigue, students who sleep less may experience
6 difficulty paying attention in class, negatively affecting
7 students’ academic performance. In Hawaii, all but five public
8 high schools begin their school days before 8:30 a.m.
9 The purpose of this Act is to require all public
10 elementary, middle, and high schools to start school days no
11 earlier than 8:30 a.m.
12 SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
13 amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated
14 and to read as follows:
15 “~302A- School day start time. (a) Notwithstanding
16 any other law to the contrary, beginning with the - school
17 year, all public elementary, middle, and high school classes in
HB LRB 25-0021.docx
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Page2 H.B. NO. vi
1 the State shall begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m.; provided that
2 this section shall not apply to charter schools.
3 (b) The board, in its discretion, may grant a waiver to
4 any school that is subject to this section. The board shall
5 adopt policies and procedures to grant a waiver under this
6 subsection.
7 Cc) This section shall not exempt any school from the
8 requirements under section 302A-251.”
9 SECTION 3. The department of education shall adjust
10 state-provided school bus and school meal schedules for public
11 schools to align with the class start times set forth in section 2
12 of this Act.
13 SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
14 SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
15 INTRODUCED BY:
JAN 1 82025
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H.B. NO. ~
Report Title:
DOE; School Classes; Start Time
Description:
Beginning with the - school year, requires public
elementary, middle, and high school classes to start no earlier
than 8:30 a.m. Requires the Department of Education to adjust
state-provided bus and school meal schedules accordingly.
The summarydescription oflegislation appearing on thispage is forinformationalpurposes only and is
notlegislation orevidence oflegislative intent.
HB LRB 25-0021.docx
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