HI HB2276

Establishes a statewide Early Childhood Education Program administered by the Executive Office on Early Learning to serve three- and four-year-old children, prioritizing those in the year before kindergarten eligibility and underserved or at-risk children.

Program will be delivered through multiple vehicles including center-based programs, group and family child care homes, school-based programs, and family-child interaction programs, with the office authorized to contract with eligible private providers.

Requires participating providers to incorporate research-based quality standards including positive teacher-child interactions, individual child assessments, family engagement, and alignment with Hawaii early learning and development standards.

Explicitly prohibits establishment of a voucher system; services provided through contracts with eligible providers rather than direct payments to families.

Takes effect July 1, 2050, contingent upon ratification of a constitutional amendment permitting appropriation of public funds for private early childhood education programs.