SB 2412: UH; ASL Interpreter Training Program; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii faces a growing shortage of qualified American Sign Language interpreters.  The 2024 report by the disability and communication access board, Assessment of American Sign Language Interpreting Services and the Interpreter Shortage in Hawaii, recommends establishing an American Sign Language interpreter training program within the university of Hawaii system.

     The legislature further finds that Hawaii is one of only eight states that does not have an American Sign Language interpreter training program.  More than two hundred certificate, associate, bachelor, and graduate level interpreter training programs are offered nationwide.

     The legislature believes that establishing a bachelor's degree program in sign language interpretation with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program will eliminate the shortage of American Sign Language interpreters in the State and provide an academic and career path for Hawaii residents to become skilled professionals.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to address the State's American Sign Language interpreter shortage by appropriating funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the university of Hawaii at Manoa campus with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to:

     (1)  Establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the university of Hawaii at Manoa campus;

     (2)  Develop a multi-year interpreter training program to include a master's degree in American Sign Language interpretation; and

     (3)  Provide personnel and administrative resources necessary to launch and sustain the programs.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

UH; ASL Interpreter Training Program; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program for interpreter training.  (SD1)

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 the UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii faces a growing shortage of qualified American Sign Language interpreters.  The 2024 report by the disability and communication access board, Assessment of American Sign Language Interpreting Services and the Interpreter Shortage in Hawaii, recommends establishing an American Sign Language interpreter training program within the university of Hawaii system.

     The legislature further finds that Hawaii is one of only eight states that does not have an American Sign Language interpreter training program.  More than two hundred certificate, associate, bachelor, and graduate level interpreter training programs are offered nationwide.

     The legislature believes that establishing a bachelor's degree program in sign language interpretation with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program will eliminate the shortage of American Sign Language interpreters in the State and provide an academic and career path for Hawaii residents to become skilled professionals.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to address the State's American Sign Language interpreter shortage by appropriating moneys to establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the university of Hawaii at Manoa campus with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $140,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to:

     (1)  Establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the university of Hawaii Manoa campus;

     (2)  Develop a multi-year interpreter training program to include a master’s degree in American Sign Language interpretation; and

     (3)  Provide personnel and administrative resources necessary to launch and sustain the programs.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; ASL Interpreter Training Program; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates moneys to establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the University of Hawaii Manoa campus with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program for interpreter training.

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. 2350

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2412

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Education and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2412 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa campus with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program for interpreter training.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Interpreting Services, Hawaiʻi Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and fourteen individuals.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

     Your Committees find that the State is experiencing a shortage of qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters that is perpetuated by a lack of ASL interpreter training programs.  Qualified interpreters are essential for deaf and hard‑of-hearing individuals to fully participate in education, health care, employment, and civic life.  The scarcity of qualified ASL interpreters infringes on these individuals' fundamental civil right to language access and perpetuates systemic barriers that contribute to inequality.  Your Committees further note that Hawaii is one of only eight States that does not have an ASL interpreter training program.  This measure invests in equity and inclusion by establishing a sustainable, in-state interpreter workforce pipeline.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting a blank appropriation amount; and

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

     Your Committees note that although this measure, as amended, contains an unspecified appropriation amount, should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committees respectfully request that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $140,000 to establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, develop a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program, and provide necessary personnel and administrative resources for the programs.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2412, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2412, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Health and Human Services,