HB 411 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes section 302A-1106.5 to require the Board of Education to hold no less than six community forums annually, with at least one forum in each county, to discuss public education and public library issues.

• Changes community meeting requirements from one annually per county to six forums annually statewide, with board chairperson designating less than a quorum of board members to attend each forum.

• Classifies community forums as permitted interactions under section 92-2.5 of Hawaii's open meetings law, provided no commitments relating to votes are made or sought, and requires board members to report attendance and matters discussed at the next duly noticed board meeting.

• Requires the Board of Education to include an open forum at the end of each public meeting to allow interested persons to present oral testimony on non-agenda matters related to the board's jurisdiction, effective through June 30, 2024.

• Directs the Board of Education to report to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2020 regular session on efforts to amend its policies to include open forums for public testimony.