SB 420: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that one of the main goals of the department of education's public education 2023-2029 strategic plan is to have "all students graduate high school prepared for college and career success and community and civic engagement."  As part of this goal, an action item in the strategic plan includes "expand[ing] students' opportunities for structured work-based learning experiences, including internships for high school students, through partnerships with employers, community partners, military and higher education institutions."

     To achieve the goals set forth in the strategic plan, the department of education is actively pursuing internships and work-based learning opportunities for students, including graduating high school students.  However, once students graduate from high school, they are no longer considered a student and are not covered for workers' compensation while they are participating in a department-sponsored work-based learning opportunity during the summer following graduation.  Because work-based learning opportunities provide critical experience for students before college or other professional opportunities, expansion of workers' compensation is needed to ensure the safety of students or recent graduates.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to allow newly graduated former students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in work-based learning programs sponsored by the department of education.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-430, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302A-430  Coverage for workers' compensation.  Whenever a student or a new high school graduate participating in a school-approved work-based learning program sponsored by the department [of education], or a student participating in a school-approved work-based learning program sponsored by the [University] university of Hawaii, undertakes to perform work for a private or public employer as part of the student's or new high school graduate's work-based learning program, whether paid or unpaid, the State shall be deemed to be the responsible employer for the purposes of workers' compensation coverage[,]; provided that no coverage under this section shall be provided beyond July 31 of the student's or the new high school graduate's high school graduation year, and that coverage shall be the student's or the new high school graduate's exclusive remedy to the same extent as provided for in chapter 386 as against the State and the private employer participating in the program."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

DOE; Workers' Compensation; Work-Based Internships; Recent Graduates

Description:

Allows newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (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 education.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that one of the main goals of the department of education's public education 2023-2029 strategic plan is to have "all students graduate high school prepared for college and career success and community and civic engagement."  As part of this goal, an action item in the strategic plan includes "expand[ing] students' opportunities for structured work-based learning experiences, including internships for high school students, through partnerships with employers, community partners, military and higher education institutions."

     To achieve the goals set forth in the strategic plan, the department of education is actively pursuing internships and work-based learning opportunities for students, including graduating high school students.  However, once students graduate from high school, they are no longer considered a student and are not covered for workers' compensation while they are participating in a department-sponsored work-based learning opportunity during the summer following graduation.  Because work-based learning opportunities provide critical experience for students before college or other professional opportunities, expansion of workers' compensation is needed to ensure the safety of students or recent graduates.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to allow newly graduated former students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in work-based learning programs sponsored by the department of education.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-430, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302A-430  Coverage for workers' compensation.  Whenever a student or a new high school graduate participating in a school-approved work-based learning program sponsored by the department [of education], or a student participating in a school-approved work-based learning program sponsored by the University of Hawaii, undertakes to perform work for a private or public employer as part of the student's or new high school graduate's work-based learning program, whether paid or unpaid, the State shall be deemed to be the responsible employer for the purposes of workers' compensation coverage[,]; provided that no coverage under this section shall be provided beyond July 31 of the student's or the new high school graduate's high school graduation year, and that coverage shall be the student's or the new high school graduate's exclusive remedy to the same extent as provided for in chapter 386 as against the State and the private employer participating in the program."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

DOE; Workers' Compensation; Work-Based Internships; Recent Graduates

Description:

Allows newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs.

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. 341

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 420

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Education and Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 420 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and three individuals.

     Your Committees find that work-based learning opportunities offer Department of Education students with learning experiences in high demand professions, a student's preferred, future career path, and practical experience and preparation for the student's professional goals.  While the Department of Education sponsors a Work-Based Learning Program for Department students, newly graduated seniors are not eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation.  As the health and safety of students is of paramount importance, extending workers' compensation coverage will protect recent graduates who are gaining valuable professional experience.  Therefore, this measure aligns with the State's workforce development and education goals while ensuring necessary safeguards for student participants.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Labor and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 420, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 420, 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 Labor and Technology,