SB 3189: Prekindergarten-only Public Charter Schools; SPCSC; Executive Office on Early Learning; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to early learning.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that public charter schools dedicated solely to prekindergarten programs are integral to increase access to early learning and to meet the mandates of Act 46, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020 (Act 46).  Act 46 requires the department of human services and the executive office on learning access to ensure access to early learning through preschool programs for at least fifty per cent of all appropriately aged, unserved children by 2027, and one hundred per cent of those children by 2032.  Prekindergarten‑only public charter schools meet the same rigorous requirements as public prekindergarten schools with the added benefit of being able to operate on a full-day schedule that better serves the needs of working families.  The State's prekindergarten-only public charter schools are essential to a high-quality, mixed-delivery education system, but they are currently operating at a deficit.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to increase funding for prekindergarten-only public charter schools by appropriating moneys to the state public charter school commission.

     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 for prekindergarten-only public charter schools.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the state public charter school commission for the purposes of this Act.

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

Report Title:

Prekindergarten-only Public Charter Schools; SPCSC; Executive Office on Early Learning; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates moneys to the State Public Charter School Commission for prekindergarten-only public charter schools.

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