HB 1887: DOE; Public Schools; Artificial Intelligence; Literacy; Curricula; Policy; Advisory Council; Grant Pilot Program; Establishment; Reports; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart B, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-A  Artificial intelligence literacy; curricula plan; public schools; artificial intelligence policy.  (a)  The department shall develop and implement a statewide artificial intelligence literacy curricula plan for public school students in eleventh and twelfth grades.

     (b)  Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, all public schools shall provide instruction in artificial intelligence literacy for students in grades eleven and twelve.  All students in grades eleven and twelve shall complete a course in artificial intelligence literacy and obtain a passing grade in the course as a condition for graduation.  The artificial intelligence literacy course curriculum shall be six weeks at minimum with a curriculum that shall include but not be limited to:

     (1)  Defining artificial intelligence and its key concepts;

     (2)  Comprehending the fundamentals of artificial intelligence perception, machine learning, and generative artificial intelligence;

     (3)  Applying best practices for artificial intelligence use, including in academic and professional settings;

     (4)  Analyzing the ethical implications and prioritizing the ethical use of artificial intelligence;

     (5)  Examining continuing innovations in artificial intelligence technology;

     (6)  Analyzing artificial intelligence as it relates to the State's history, environment, and culture; and

     (7)  Understanding the public school's artificial intelligence policy developed pursuant to subsection (d).

     The department shall review and determine the courses into which artificial intelligence literacy shall be integrated.

     (c)  The board shall provide teachers with professional development to teach artificial intelligence literacy courses.  The board shall determine a list of approved courses and providers who offer professional development in artificial intelligence literacy.  The board may collaborate with the advisory council for artificial intelligence education to carry out the purposes of this subsection.  A teacher shall complete artificial intelligence literacy professional development and be certified as an artificial intelligence literacy teacher before teaching artificial intelligence literacy courses in public schools.

     (d)  Each public school shall develop an artificial intelligence policy in consultation with its students' parents and the local community that outlines acceptable and ethical use of artificial intelligence tools by students and staff.  Each artificial intelligence literacy teacher shall incorporate their public school's artificial intelligence policy into the curriculum of the artificial intelligence literacy course.

     (e)  For the purposes of this section, "artificial intelligence" has the same meaning as defined in title 15 United States Code section 9401(3)."

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part III, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-B  Advisory council for artificial intelligence education.  (a)  The board shall appoint an advisory council for artificial intelligence education composed of       or more representatives of the local artificial intelligence industry.  Appointments shall be for a term of two years with reappointments optional but not to exceed a total of six years on the advisory council.

     (b)  The advisory council for artificial intelligence education shall:

     (1)  Develop an artificial intelligence literacy teacher certification program for teachers to fulfill the professional development requirements pursuant to section 302A-A(c);

     (2)  Provide continued education opportunities and coaching to artificial intelligence literacy teachers in public schools; and

     (3)  Curate resources for public schools to enhance artificial intelligence literacy courses.

     (c)  For the purposes of this section, "artificial intelligence" has the same meaning as defined in section 302A‑A(e)."

     SECTION 3.  (a)  There is established within the department of education a three-year artificial intelligence education grant pilot program.

     (b)  The pilot program shall provide grants to public schools to facilitate the:

     (1)  Participation of eligible teachers in training programs to fulfill their artificial intelligence literacy professional development requirements pursuant to section 302A-A(c); and

     (2)  Development of supplementary curriculum and materials for artificial intelligence literacy courses in public schools, including the creation of culturally responsive lesson plans that examine artificial intelligence concepts as they relate to the State's history, environment, and culture.

     (c)  The pilot program shall provide grants under the following terms, conditions, and standards:

     (1)  The total amount of a grant to any one public school shall not exceed $          ;

     (2)  No grant shall be awarded for costs that were incurred before a public school's application for and receipt of a grant;

     (3)  No grant moneys shall be used for purposes other than described in subsection (b) and establishing and improving a corps of artificial intelligence literacy teachers in the State;

     (4)  No grant moneys shall be used for the purposes of entertainment or perquisites;

     (5)  All activities undertaken with grant funds received shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and county laws and regulations;

     (6)  The grantee shall:

          (A)  Indemnify and hold harmless the State and its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims arising out of or resulting from activities carried out or projects undertaken with funds received from the pilot program; and

          (B)  Obtain sufficient insurance to provide indemnification under subparagraph (A), if requested to do so by the department of education; and

     (7)  The grantee shall agree to make available to the department of education all records the grantee may have relating to the grant to monitor the grantee's compliance with the requirements of the pilot program.

     (d)  The department of education shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to carry out the purposes of this section, including rules on the standards, policies, and procedures for the administration of the artificial intelligence education grant pilot program.

     (e)  The department of education shall submit interim reports on the status of the artificial intelligence education grant pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2027 and 2028.  The department of education shall submit a final report on the artificial intelligence education grant pilot program, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2029.

     (f)  The artificial intelligence education grant pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2029.

     (g)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Artificial intelligence" has the same meaning as defined in section 302A-A(e), Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     "Eligible teacher" means a teacher working at a public school in the State who educates grade eleven or twelve.

     "Public school" means a department of education school governed by chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the development and implementation of the artificial intelligence education grant pilot program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  In codifying the new sections added by sections 1 and 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

DOE; Public Schools; Artificial Intelligence; Literacy; Curricula; Policy; Advisory Council; Grant Pilot Program; Establishment; Reports; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide Artificial Intelligence Literacy Curricula Plan for students in eleventh and twelfth grades, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year as a condition for graduation.  Establishes the Advisory Council for Artificial Intelligence Education.  Establishes a three-year Artificial Intelligence Education Grant Pilot Program within the Department of Education.  Requires reports to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.

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