HI HR120

Legislative Reference Bureau requested to conduct a study on policies of University of Hawaii System, Department of Education, and private schools addressing relationships between teachers and students.

Study must include review of all state laws prohibiting consensual or romantic relationships between teachers and students, referencing Connecticut, Maine, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Washington as examples.

Report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation due to Legislature no later than twenty days prior to convening of Regular Session of 2019.

Department of Education, University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, and private schools requested to cooperate and provide information to Legislative Reference Bureau.

Resolution cites existing institutional policies prohibiting teacher-student relationships due to inherent power imbalances and potential for abuse, including Hawaii DOE Code of Conduct and University of Hawaii Executive Policy 1.203.