SB 527: RELATING TO EDUCATION.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-02-10
Current Status:
Failed
(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Appropriates funds for the establishment of five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Establishes, and appropriates funds for, five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
527 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.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:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that complying with and upholding state and federal civil rights laws is an important responsibility of the department of education.
The legislature further finds that following the December 6, 2018, federal lawsuit filed against the department of education and the Oahu Interscholastic Association involving Campbell high school, the civil rights compliance branch of the department of education received temporary funding to hire a Title IX specialist for gender equity in athletics. While the incumbent Title IX specialist for gender equity in athletics has already made a statewide impact with the addition of flag football for female athletes, meeting with athletic leagues statewide, garnering support from various stakeholders in the community, and playing a pivotal role in implementing the department of education's gender equity plan statewide, this position is temporary.
Furthermore, the legislature finds that additional staff and funding are needed for the department of education to better comply with and uphold state and federal civil rights laws.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the civil rights compliance branch of the department of education.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the civil rights compliance branch of the department of education, five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions, as follows:
(1) One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) civil rights compliance specialist II (Title IX - gender equity in athletics) whose duties shall include but not be limited to:
(A) Reviewing athletic programs statewide;
(B) Developing and recommending administrative policies and guidelines to achieve compliance with Title IX and nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities, specifically with regard to gender equity in athletics;
(C) Providing guidance and instructions to remedy, achieve, and maintain compliance and non‑discriminatory practices on the basis of sex in athletic programs and activities;
(D) Providing technical assistance, information, and guidance to department of education supervisors, including principals, vice principals, and athletic directors; staff; students; parents; and the general public as it pertains to gender equity issues in athletics;
(E) Providing training to equity specialists, athletic directors, coaches, community members, and others who may have a legitimate interest in gender equity within the department of education;
(F) Preparing the department of education's official response to state and federal enforcement agencies concerning potential or alleged civil rights violations as they relate to gender equity in athletics; and
(G) Conducting a full range of investigations involving issues related to alleged violations of Title IX policies and procedures as they pertain to gender equity in education programs and services within the department of education; and
(2) Four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) equity specialists II, to serve statewide and be assigned wherever the needs of the department of education are most pressing at any given time, and whose duties shall include but not be limited to:
(A) Acting as the Title IX coordinator for a complex area and accepting complaints relating to discrimination or harassment based on sex or gender;
(B) Assuring compliance with Title IX throughout a complex area and providing guidance to each school's administration relating to compliance under Title IX and any related department of education policies;
(C) Conducting a full range of investigations involving issues concerning possible violations of civil rights laws, policies, and procedures, including Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX, of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended;
(D) Acting as the language access coordinator for a complex area and ensuring compliance with Title VI of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, throughout the complex area, which includes providing guidance to each school's administration relating to compliance under Title VI of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and any related department of education policies;
(E) Acting as the reasonable accommodation coordinator for a complex area and working with schools and employees to determine reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities;
(F) Providing guidance to each school's administration relating to compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and any related department of education policies; and
(G) Ensuring that proper technical assistance, coordination, and support is provided to complex area supervisors, principals, vice principals, office staff, career and technical education specialists, and teachers.
(b) For purposes of this section, "Title IX" means Public Law 92-318, Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, as amended.
SECTION 3. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) equity specialist positions within the civil rights compliance branch of the department of education as provided in section 2 of this Act; provided that $ shall be allocated for each position.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the civil rights compliance branch of the department of education to secure equipment and supplies for the five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) equity specialist positions established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
DOE; Civil Rights Compliance Branch; Equity Specialists; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates funds for the establishment of five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education. 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.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
527 |
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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:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that complying with and upholding state and federal civil rights laws is an important responsibility of the department of education.
The legislature further finds that following the December 6, 2018, federal lawsuit filed against the department of education and the Oahu Interscholastic Association involving Campbell high school, the civil rights compliance branch of the department of education received temporary funding to hire a Title IX specialist for gender equity in athletics. While the incumbent Title IX specialist for gender equity in athletics has already made a statewide impact with the addition of flag football for female athletes, meeting with athletic leagues statewide, garnering support from various stakeholders in the community, and playing a pivotal role in implementing the department of education's gender equity plan statewide, this position is temporary.
Furthermore, the legislature finds that additional staff and funding are needed for the department of education to better comply with and uphold state and federal civil rights laws.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the civil rights compliance branch of the department of education.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the civil compliance branch of the department of education, five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions, as follows:
(1) One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) civil rights compliance specialist II (Title IX - gender equity in athletics) whose duties shall include but not be limited to:
(A) Reviewing athletic programs statewide;
(B) Developing and recommending administrative policies and guidelines to achieve compliance with Title IX and nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities, specifically with regard to gender equity in athletics;
(C) Providing guidance and instructions to remedy, achieve, and maintain compliance and non-discriminatory practices on the basis of sex in athletic programs and activities;
(D) Providing technical assistance, information, and guidance to department of education supervisors, including principals, vice principals, and athletic directors; staff; students; parents; and the general public as it pertains to gender equity issues in athletics;
(E) Providing training to equity specialists, athletic directors, coaches, community members and others who may have a legitimate interest in gender equity within the department of education;
(F) Preparing the department of education's official response to state and federal enforcement agencies concerning potential or alleged civil rights violations as they relate to gender equity in athletics; and
(G) Conducting a full range of investigations involving issues related with alleged violations of Title IX policies and procedures as they pertain to gender equity in education programs and services within the department of education; and
(2) Four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) equity specialists II, to serve statewide and be assigned wherever the needs of the department of education are most pressing at any given time, and whose duties shall include but not be limited to:
(A) Acting as the Title IX coordinator for a complex area and accepting complaints relating to discrimination or harassment based on sex or gender;
(B) Assuring compliance with Title IX throughout a complex area and providing guidance to each school's administration relating to compliance under Title IX and any related department of education policies;
(C) Conducting a full range of investigations involving issues dealing with possible violations of civil rights laws, policies, and procedures, including Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX, of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended;
(D) Acting as the language access coordinator for a complex area and assuring compliance with Title VI of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, throughout the complex area, which includes providing guidance to each school's administration relating to compliance under Title VI of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and any related department of education policies;
(E) Acting as the reasonable accommodation coordinator for a complex area and working with schools and employees to determine reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities;
(F) Providing guidance to each school's administration relating to compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and any related department of education policies; and
(G) Ensuring that proper technical assistance, coordination, and support is provided to complex area supervisors, principals, vice principals, office staff, career and technical education specialists, and teachers.
(b) For purposes of this section, "Title IX" means Public Law 92-318, Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, as amended.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $779,520 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the civil rights compliance branch of the department of education to employ five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) equity specialists as provided in section 2 of this Act; provided that $155,904 shall be allocated for each position.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $20,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the civil rights compliance branch of the department of education for equipment and supplies for the five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) equity specialist positions established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
Report Title:
Department of Education; Civil Rights Compliance; Equity Specialists; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes, and appropriates funds for, five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education.
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. |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 219) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 3, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kidani, Kim, Hashimoto, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Jan 31, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Referred to EDU, WAM. |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Passed First Reading. |
| Jan 17, 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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| Feb 3, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | 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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| Department of Education | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Civil Rights Commission | *** Support | Feb 7, 2025 |
| Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission | ** Support | |
| Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 219
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 527
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 527 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to:
(1) Establish five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education; and
(2) Appropriate funds.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, and one individual.
Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.
Your Committee finds that Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) ensures equity in educational settings by prohibiting discrimination based on sex. Presently, the Department of Education operates a Civil Rights Compliance Branch to address various protected class investigations, accommodation requests, training, and support for schools and administrative offices. According to the testimony of the Department of Education, there are fifteen equity specialists. However, as each equity specialist is assigned to a specific geographic region, caseloads may not be distributed equally. Providing additional support to the Civil Rights Compliance Branch will allow for timely responses to discrimination allegations, investigations, and accommodation requests to make public educational environments safer. Therefore, this measure addresses current workload needs of the Department of Education while ensuring equity in public education.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the appropriations to unspecified amounts;
(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
Your Committee notes that this measure, as amended, contains unspecified appropriation amounts. Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $779,520 for the establishment of five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) equity specialist positions; provided that $155,904 is allocated for each position; and $20,000 for materials and supplies for the five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) equity specialist positions.
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. 527, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 527, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,
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________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Feb 7, 2025 | SB527_TESTIMONY_EDU_02-03-25_.PDF |
Bill Author
