HB 1360 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Early Childhood Educator Stipend Program administered by the executive office on early learning to address shortage of qualified early childhood educators in the state.

• Provides stipends to individuals enrolled in certificate, degree, or license programs in early childhood education (including Hawaiian language medium programs) at University of Hawaii campuses who qualify for Hawaii resident tuition.

• Requires stipend recipients to work directly with children birth through age 5 in approved early learning settings for at least two consecutive years following program completion.

• Stipend recipients who fail to complete their program or meet work requirements must repay a proportionate percentage of funds received, with repayments deposited into the early learning special fund.

• Allows the executive office on early learning to contract with collection agencies to recover delinquent stipend repayments in accordance with chapter 103D; effective July 1, 2050.