HB 245: RELATING TO STUDENT HEAT EXPOSURE SAFETY.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STUDENT HEAT EXPOSURE SAFETY.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii has experienced rising air temperatures, with annual peak averages consistently breaking record highs.  These increases, along with Hawaii's high average annual relative humidity, pose significant challenges for human thermoregulation.

     The legislature further finds that exercising in hot and humid weather can be dangerous, as the body's ability to cool itself through sweating becomes less effective under humid conditions.  When sweat cannot evaporate efficiently due to high moisture levels in the air, the risk of heat-related illnesses increases.

     The legislature also finds that children and younger athletes are particularly vulnerable to exertional heat illness due to slower heat acclimatization, reduced thermoregulation capabilities compared to adults, and external pressures from coaches and parents to exceed their physical limits.  Additionally, children often lack control over the timing and conditions of outdoor activities, such as recess and sports practices, and may have limited access to hydration during these activities.

     The legislature further finds that shade can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses by providing cooler spaces for students to exercise, train, and play.  Expanding shaded areas on school campuses and properties is critical for creating safer environments during outdoor activities.  Additionally, identifying and developing areas on campuses to increase shade access is an essential strategy for protecting children from dangerous levels of heat.

     The legislature also finds that wet-bulb globe temperature measurements are the gold standard for assessing heat stress, as adopted by organizations such as the United States military, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and professional sports leagues.  Wet-bulb globe thermometers are also relatively affordable for schools and athletic departments to acquire and use, making them a practical tool for ensuring safer outdoor activities.

     Despite these known challenges and expected increasing temperatures, Hawaii currently lacks statewide guidelines for managing extreme heat during outdoor recreational activities, leaving children at risk of preventable heat-related illnesses.  An in-depth study is necessary to determine the current practices for managing heat exposure and to develop a plan if the current practices are insufficient in ensuring student safety from heat exposure.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of education, in collaboration with the department of health and state public charter school commission, to conduct a study on the current practices of managing heat exposure in state public and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities and to develop a plan if the current practices are insufficient in managing heat exposure.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of education shall conduct a study, in collaboration with the department of health and state public charter school commission, on the current practices of managing heat exposure in state public and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities.

     (b)  If the department of education determines that the current practices are insufficient in safeguarding the well‑being of students from heat exposure in the course of conducting the study, the department shall develop a plan that includes guidelines for managing heat exposure to protect students' health during outdoor activities.  The guidelines shall:

     (1)  Apply to all public and charter schools in the State;

     (2)  Be utilized for sports practices, conditioning workouts, recess, marching band practice, junior reserve officers' training corps activities, and other outdoor activities;

     (3)  Be based on wet-bulb globe temperature as the standard for measuring heat stress;

     (4)  Include recommendations for expanding shaded areas on campuses to provide cooler environments for exercise, training, and play;

     (5)  Include thresholds for modifying, postponing, or canceling outdoor activities based on wet-bulb glob temperature measurements;

     (6)  Include protocols for ensuring adequate hydration during outdoor activities;

     (7)  Include training for school staff on recognizing and responding to symptoms of exertional heat illness;

     (8)  Include measures to safeguard students with medical conditions or medications that impair thermoregulation;

     (9)  Include recommendations for acclimatizing or reacclimatizing students returning to outdoor activities after a period of absence; and

    (10)  Include recommendations for schools to identify and develop areas on campuses to expand shade access as a strategy to improve outdoor safety and reduce heat exposure.

     (c)  In developing the plan pursuant to subsection (b), the department of education shall assess the ongoing cost of guideline implementation and continued maintenance and include the assessment in the department's study.

     (d)  The department of education shall submit the study, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Department of Education; DOH; State Public Charter School Commission; Heat Exposure; Study; Plan; Guidelines

Description:

Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a study on the current practices of managing heat exposure in state public and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities and to develop a plan if the current practices are insufficient in managing heat exposure.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to student heat exposure safety.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii has experienced rising air temperatures, with annual peak averages consistently breaking record highs.  These increases, along with Hawaii's high average annual relative humidity, pose significant challenges for human thermoregulation.

     The legislature further finds that exercising in hot and humid weather can be dangerous, as the body's ability to cool itself through sweating becomes less effective under humid conditions.  When sweat cannot evaporate efficiently due to high moisture levels in the air, the risk of heat-related illnesses increases.

     The legislature also finds that children and younger athletes are particularly vulnerable to exertional heat illness due to slower heat acclimatization, reduced thermoregulation capabilities compared to adults, and external pressures from coaches and parents to exceed their physical limits.  Additionally, children often lack control over the timing and conditions of outdoor activities, such as recess and sports practices, and may have limited access to hydration during these activities.

     The legislature further finds that shade can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses by providing cooler spaces for students to exercise, train, and play.  Expanding shaded areas on school campuses and properties is critical for creating safer environments during outdoor activities.  Additionally, identifying and developing areas on campuses to increase shade access is an essential strategy for protecting children from dangerous levels of heat.

     The legislature also finds that wet-bulb globe temperature measurements are the gold standard for assessing heat stress, as adopted by organizations such as the United States military, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and professional sports leagues.  Wet-bulb globe thermometers are also relatively affordable for schools and athletic departments to acquire and use, making them a practical tool for ensuring safer outdoor activities.

     Despite these known challenges and expected increasing temperatures, Hawaii currently lacks statewide guidelines for managing extreme heat during outdoor recreational activities, leaving children at risk of preventable heat-related illnesses.  Therefore, purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require and appropriate funds for the department of education, in collaboration with the department of health, to develop statewide guidelines related to managing heat exposure to protect students' health during outdoor activities; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for wet-bulb globe temperature thermometers for all public and charter schools statewide.

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

     "§302A-     Guidelines for outdoor activities during extreme heat.  (a)  The department, in collaboration with the department of health, shall develop statewide guidelines for managing heat exposure to protect students' health during outdoor activities.  These guidelines shall:

     (1)  Apply to all public and charter schools in the State;

     (2)  Be utilized for sports practices, conditioning workouts, recess, marching band practice, junior reserve officers' training corps activities, and other outdoor activities;

     (3)  Be based on wet-bulb globe temperature as the standard for measuring heat stress; and

     (4)  Include recommendations for expanding shaded areas on campuses to provide cooler environments for exercise, training, and play.

     (b)  The guidelines shall include:

     (1)  Thresholds for modifying, postponing, or canceling outdoor activities based on wet-bulb glob temperature measurements;

     (2)  Protocols for ensuring adequate hydration during outdoor activities;

     (3)  Training for school staff on recognizing and responding to symptoms of exertional heat illness;

     (4)  Measures to safeguard students with medical conditions or medications that impair thermoregulation;

     (5)  Recommendations for acclimatizing or reacclimatizing students returning to outdoor activities after a period of absence; and

     (6)  Recommendations for schools to identify and develop areas on campuses to expand shade access as a strategy to improve outdoor safety and reduce heat exposure."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $20,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of education to develop the recommendations for the guidelines pursuant to this Act.

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

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $20,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of education to provide wet-bulb globe temperature thermometers to all public and charter schools statewide.

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

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Heat Exposure; Guidelines; Appropriation

Description:

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to develop statewide guidelines related to managing heat exposure to protect students' health during outdoor activities.  Appropriates funds for wet-bulb globe temperature thermometers for all public and charter schools statewide.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  573

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 245

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 245, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT HEAT EXPOSURE SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to:

     (1)  Conduct a study on the current practices of managing heat exposure in state public and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities; and

     (2)  Develop a plan if the current practices are insufficient in managing heat exposure.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawai‘i Public Health Association; Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawai‘i Climate Change and Health Working Group; and five individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that rising air temperatures and Hawaii's high average relative humidity pose a significant challenge to human thermoregulation, particularly for individuals exercising outdoors where high humidity reduces the efficacy of the body's ability to cool itself through sweating.  Your Committee further finds that the dangers of exertional heat illness are particularly high for children, who have reduced thermoregulation capabilities and slower heat acclimatization compared to adults.  Your Committee believes that creating data-driven state guidelines for managing heat during outdoor activities is a vital step in protecting Hawaii's children from the dangers of heat exposure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 245, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  49

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 245

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 245 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT HEAT EXPOSURE SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require and appropriate funds for the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to develop statewide guidelines related to managing heat exposure to protect students' health during outdoor activities; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for wet-bulb globe temperature thermometers for all public and charter schools statewide.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities; State Public Charter School Commission; Hawaiʻi Climate Change and Health Working Group; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Public Health Association; and six individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education; and Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii has experienced rising air temperatures, with annual peak averages consistently breaking record highs.  Exercising in hot and humid weather can be dangerous, as the body's ability to cool itself through sweating becomes less effective under humid conditions.  When sweat cannot evaporate efficiently due to high moisture levels in the air, the risk of heat-related illnesses increases.

     Your Committee further finds that shade can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses by providing cooler spaces for students to exercise, train, and play.  Expanding shaded areas on school campuses and properties is critical for creating safer environments during outdoor activities.  Additionally, wet-bulb globe temperature measurements are the gold standard for assessing heat stress.  As wet-bulb globe thermometers are relatively affordable for schools and athletic departments to acquire and use, the purchase of wet-bulb globe thermometers will serve as a practical tool for ensuring safer outdoor activities.

     Your Committee notes that the Department of Education needs time to examine its current practices of managing heat exposure in schools and the timeline and costs of implementing the guidelines as required by this measure.

     Your Committee has accordingly amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting language which would have:

          (A)  Required and appropriated funds for the Department of Education to develop statewide guidelines related to managing heat exposure to protect students' health during outdoor activities; and

          (B)  Appropriated funds for wet-bulb globe temperature thermometers for all public and charter schools statewide;

     (2)  Inserting language that requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a study on the current practices of managing heat exposure in state public and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities and to develop a plan if the current practices are insufficient in managing heat exposure;

     (3)  Amending the preamble to reflect the measure's amended purpose;

     (4)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 245, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 245, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Health.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,