HR 179: Requesting the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a study on the practices of managing heat exposure in department and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

Requesting the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a study on the practices of managing heat exposure in department and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has experienced rising air temperatures, with annual peak averages consistently breaking record highs; and

     WHEREAS, these increases, along with Hawaii's high average annual relative humidity, pose significant challenges for human thermoregulation; and

     WHEREAS, 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; and

     WHEREAS, when sweat cannot evaporate efficiently due to high moisture levels in the air, the risk of heat-related illnesses increases; and

     WHEREAS, 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; and

     WHEREAS, additionally, children often lack control over the timing and conditions of outdoor activities, such as recess and individual or team practices, and may have limited access to hydration during these activities; and

     WHEREAS, shade can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses by providing cooler spaces for students to exercise, train, and play; and

     WHEREAS, expanding shaded areas on school campuses and properties is critical for creating safer environments during outdoor activities; and

     WHEREAS, identifying and developing areas on campuses to increase shade access is an essential strategy for protecting children from dangerous levels of heat; and

     WHEREAS, 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; and

     WHEREAS, 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; and

     WHEREAS, 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; and

     WHEREAS, an in-depth study is necessary to determine the best practices for managing heat exposure and to develop a plan if the existing practices are insufficient in ensuring student safety from heat exposure; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, is requested to conduct a study on the practices of managing heat exposure in department and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in its study, the Department of Education is requested to look at the feasibility of using a wet bulb globe temperature as a standard for measuring heat stress; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the Department of Education determines that the existing practices are insufficient in safeguarding the well-being of students from heat exposure in the course of conducting the study, the Department is requested to develop a plan that includes guidelines for managing heat exposure to protect students' health during outdoor activities; provided that the guidelines:

     (1)  Apply to all department 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)  Include protocols for ensuring adequate hydration during outdoor activities;

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

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

     (6)  Include recommendations for acclimatizing or re-acclimatizing students returning to outdoor activities after a period of absence; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to assess the ongoing cost of guideline implementation and continued maintenance and include the assessment in the Department's study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to 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; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should a plan be developed by the Department of Education, the Department is requested to complete and submit the plan to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Superintendent of Education, Director of Health, and Chairperson of the State Public Charter School Commission.

Report Title: 

Department of Education; Heat Exposure; Schools; Study

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1877

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 179

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.R. No. 179 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE PRACTICES OF MANAGING HEAT EXPOSURE IN DEPARTMENT AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO PROTECT STUDENTS' HEALTH DURING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a study on the practices of managing heat exposure in Department and charter schools to protect student's health during outdoor activities.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Climate Change and Health Working Group; and two individuals.   

     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 children and younger athletes are particularly vulnerable to exertional heat illness as they have reduced thermoregulation capabilities and slower heat acclimatization compared to adults and are often unable to control the timing and conditions of outdoor activities, such as recess and individual or team practices, and may have limited access to hydration during these activities.  This measure seeks to improve student health by requesting the Department of Education, in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders, to conduct a study on heat exposure management practices in Department and charter schools.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 179 and recommends its adoption.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1539

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 179

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.R. No. 179 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE PRACTICES OF MANAGING HEAT EXPOSURE IN DEPARTMENT AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO PROTECT STUDENTS' HEALTH DURING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a study on the practices of managing heat exposure in department schools and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; State Public Charter School Commission; and Hawaii Climate Change and Health Working Group.

     Your Committee finds that rising air temperatures and the State's high average relative humidity pose a significant challenge to human thermoregulation, particularly for individuals exercising outdoors where high humidity reduces the effectiveness 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 an in-depth study is necessary to determine the best practices for managing heat exposure and to develop a plan if the existing practices of managing heat exposure in department schools and charter schools are insufficient in ensuring student safety from heat exposure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 179 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Health.

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