Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB620: Relating to Education.
Status: Failed, April 2, 2026
Establishes state policy to promote braille literacy for eligible blind students. Requires the individualized education programs and section 504 plans of eligible blind students to include the assessment and evaluation of eligible blind students' reading and writing abilities, instruction of braille, and provision of braille instructional materials under certain circumstances. Requires the Department of Education to establish a Braille Literacy Resource Center. Appropriates funds.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to education.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that literacy skills are fundamental to success in education, employment, and life for all members of society, including individuals with low vision and blindness. Braille is a tactile writing system that allows low vision and blind individuals to read by touch using a system of raised dots that represent letters, numbers, and symbols. Braille literacy skills are widely understood as essential for low vision and blind students to actively learn, seek and maintain remunerative employment, engage in cultural enrichment and hobbies, and access opportunities in life regardless of disability. According to a 2018 study conducted by the Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research, "individuals who were primary Braille readers since childhood had greater life satisfaction, self-esteem, and job satisfaction than individuals who reported not using Braille as their primary reading medium during childhood." Additionally, the study found that "[f]indings 2025-2136 HB620 SDl SMA.docx ll■llllllllllllllll■lllllmllllllllllllolll^ Page 2 H.B. NO. " i S.D. support the premise that Braille literacy is key to life satisfaction and self-esteem in addition to academic and job success" and that those who are Braille literate are more likely to gain high-quality employment." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than twenty-four thousand people statewide report low vision or blindness. The department …
Sponsors
- Justin Woodson (D, 9) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Cory Chun (D, 35)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Daniel Holt (D, 28)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Darius Kila (D, 44)
- Trish La Chica (D, 37)
- Michael Lee (D, 50)
- Lisa Marten (D, 51)
- Lauren Matsumoto (R, 38)
- Daynette Morikawa (D, HD-017)
Latest actions
- : Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
- : House Conferee(s) discharged.
- : Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 409).
- : Senate Conferee(s) discharged.
- : Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 6:20PM in conference room 229.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 5:55PM in conference room 229.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 5:35PM in conference room 229.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 4:40PM in conference room 229.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 2:50PM in conference room 229.
Votes
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 8, 2025): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 2, 2025): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- EDU: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 10, 2025): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2) (March 4, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (February 26, 2025): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2) (February 11, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Education, Appropriations, DOE, Rules, DHS, Study
Common questions
- What is HB620?
- HB620 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Education.
- What does HB620 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to education.
- What is the status of HB620?
- Failed as of April 2, 2026. Latest action: Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457). (April 2, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB620?
- Justin Woodson (D, 9), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB620?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=620&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.