HB 2094 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii early childhood educator stipend program administered by the executive office on early learning to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators in the state.

• Eligible individuals must be enrolled at a University of Hawaii campus, qualify for Hawaii resident tuition, and be pursuing a certificate, degree, or license in early childhood education, including Hawaiian language medium programs.

• Stipend recipients must work directly providing early care and education services to children birth through age five for 2-4 consecutive years in eligible early learning settings following program completion.

• Recipients who fail to complete their program or meet work requirements must repay a proportionate percentage of stipend funds received, subject to office-determined terms including potential deferment, forgiveness, or collection agency involvement.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal year 2020-2021 to establish and implement the program, effective July 1, 2055.