SB 422: DOE; Veterans; High School Diploma
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-03-12
Current Status:
Failed
(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
422 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of education to award high school diplomas to a qualified person who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into active service in the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.
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- High school diploma for armed services veterans and other qualified persons. (a) The department is authorized to establish a program to award a high school diploma to any qualified person who:
(1) Did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into active service in the armed services of the United States during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War; or
(2) Did not receive a high school diploma and whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.
(b) A qualified person seeking a high school diploma shall submit information establishing eligibility for the award of a high school diploma pursuant to subsection (a) to the department on forms prescribed by the department.
(c) For purposes of this section, a "qualified person" means any individual who:
(1) Was a resident of the State or the Territory of Hawaii and was compulsorily or voluntarily inducted into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted between:
(A) December 1, 1941, and August 30, 1945;
(B) June 1, 1950, and July 31, 1953; or
(C) August 1, 1964, and January 31, 1973;
while enrolled in a high school in the State or the Territory of Hawaii; and
(2) Did not complete a high school curriculum and receive a high school diploma."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
DOE; Veterans; High School Diploma
Description:
Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. 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.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
422 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of education to award high school diplomas to a qualified person who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into active service in the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.
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- High school diploma for armed services veterans and other qualified persons. (a) The department is authorized to establish a program to award a high school diploma to any qualified person who:
(1) Did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into active service in the armed services of the United States during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War; or
(2) Did not receive a high school diploma and whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.
(b) A qualified person seeking a high school diploma shall submit information establishing eligibility for the award of a high school diploma pursuant to subsection (a) to the department on forms prescribed by the department.
(c) For purposes of this section, a "qualified person" means any individual who:
(1) Was a resident of the State or the Territory of Hawaii and was compulsorily or voluntarily inducted into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted between:
(A) December 1, 1941, and August 30, 1945;
(B) June 1, 1950, and July 31, 1953; or
(C) August 1, 1964, and January 31, 1973;
while enrolled in a high school in the State or the Territory of Hawaii; and
(2) Did not complete a high school curriculum and receive a high school diploma."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
DOE; Veterans; High School Diploma
Description:
Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Mar 21, 2025 | Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excused (5). |
| Mar 21, 2025 | Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1429), recommending referral to FIN. |
| Mar 19, 2025 | The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Ichiyama, Lamosao, Morikawa, Poepoe, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Woodson. |
| Mar 14, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by PBS on Wednesday, 03-19-25 10:30AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 13, 2025 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on PBS with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Holt, Ward, Woodson excused (4). |
| Mar 13, 2025 | Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1188) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to PBS. |
| Mar 11, 2025 | The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Sayama, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Muraoka. |
| Mar 7, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by EDN on Tuesday, 03-11-25 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Referred to EDN, PBS, FIN, referral sheet 19 |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 155). |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | One Day Notice 03-04-25. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 856) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading. |
| Feb 26, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 20, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. |
| Feb 12, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 12, 2025 | Reported from EDU/PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 347) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 7, 2025 | The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in PSM were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Rhoads. |
| Feb 7, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in EDU were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kidani, Kim, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Hashimoto. |
| Feb 4, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDU/PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-07-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Referred to EDU/PSM, WAM. |
| Jan 16, 2025 | Passed First Reading. |
| Jan 16, 2025 | Introduced. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 19, 2025 | The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Public Safety |
Passed |
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| Mar 11, 2025 | The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
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| Mar 4, 2025 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 26, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means |
Passed |
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| Feb 7, 2025 | The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs |
Passed |
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| Feb 7, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Chamber of Commerce Hawaii | ** Support | |
| Department of Defense | *** Support | Feb 7, 2025 |
| Department of Education | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Military Affairs Council | ** Support | |
| Office of Veterans Services | *** Support | Feb 7, 2025 |
| Office of Veterans' Services | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1429
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 422
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 Public Safety, to which was referred S.B. No. 422, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee finds that compulsory or voluntary induction into active service in the armed services of the United States and the implementation of other wartime practices caused the interruption of many individuals' education. Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a program to award high school diplomas to these persons recognizes their service and sacrifice.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 422, 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 Public Safety,
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____________________________ DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1188
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 422
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 S.B. No. 422 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee finds that compulsory induction into active service in the Armed Services of the United States and other wartime practices resulted in individuals deferring their educational goals. Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a program to award high school diplomas to these individuals provides them with recognition and gratitude from the State for their wartime sacrifices to their country.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and
(2) 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 S.B. No. 422, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 422, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Public Safety.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,
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____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 856
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 422
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 422 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Department of Education to award high school diplomas to qualified individuals whose school attendance was interrupted due to certain circumstances.
Specifically, the measure authorizes the award of high school diplomas to:
(1) Qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into active service in the United States Armed Forces; or
(2) Qualified persons whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during the Second World War, Korean War, or Vietnam War.
Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and two individuals.
Your Committee finds that the Department of Education was previously authorized to award high school diplomas to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma due to military service or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, until the authorization expired in 2020. Your Committee further finds that this measure will resume the authorization permanently by codifying it in the Hawaii Revised Statutes.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 422 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 347
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 422
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 Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 422 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Office of Veterans' Services, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and four individuals.
Your Committees find that wartime impacts, including the military draft, interment, and the global political climate, affected many Hawaii residents during the twentieth century. Approximately 32,197 Hawaii residents were drafted into the United States military during World War II. Additionally, approximately 25,000 Hawaii residents served in the Korean War, while an additional 13,000 served in the Vietnam War. To honor the sacrifice of individuals who served in the military or were interred during wartime eras, Act 101, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, previously authorized the Department of Education to issue the Kupono diploma to World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans whose education was interrupted due to military service or internment. However, the Department of Education's Kupono Diploma Program sunset in 2020. Therefore, this measure restores the ability for these veterans to receive diplomas and honors the legacy of Hawaii residents who defended and protected Hawaii and its allies.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Public Safety and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 422 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Public Safety and Military Affairs,
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________________________________ BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair |
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________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 18, 2025 | SB422_HD1_TESTIMONY_PBS-WAL_03-19-25_.PDF |
| Mar 11, 2025 | SB422_TESTIMONY_EDN_03-11-25_.PDF |
| Feb 26, 2025 | SB422_TESTIMONY_WAM_02-26-25_.PDF |
| Feb 7, 2025 | SB422_TESTIMONY_EDU-PSM_02-07-25_.PDF |
Bill Author
