HB1078 Summary

• Board of Education must meet by August 1, 2021 with alumni, students, parents, and deaf community representatives to discuss converting Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind to a charter school and alternatives like an immersion school structure.

• Department of Education must submit a letter of intent to convert the school to a charter school by October 1, 2021, establish a governing board, and develop a detailed implementation plan complying with Hawaii charter school requirements.

• Implementation plan must ensure the school remains on the same property with same facilities and funding levels, allow automatic admittance for students whose individualized education programs require the school's support, and include a transition timeline and funding needs.

• Department of Education must report to the legislature with the implementation plan, funding requirements, and any proposed legislation no later than 40 days before the 2022 regular session convenes.

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes section 302D-34 to require conversion charter schools to enroll students whose individualized education programs prescribe that the charter school provides support for blind, deaf, or hard of hearing students.