HI HR73

Establishes a working group to review and report on geographic exception procedures and approval determinations in Hawaii Department of Education.

Requires analysis of geographic exception usage over at least ten years, including disaggregated data by school, student demographics, special education status, English Language Learner status, and approval/disapproval reasons.

Working group shall review application timelines (including March 1 deadline compliance), appeal processes, exception percentages by school, interview procedures, and feasibility of an online platform.

Includes review of how other states administer geographic exception programs and examines regulatory and collective bargaining changes needed for distance learning enrollment.

Working group comprises one House member co-chair, one Senate member co-chair, Superintendent of Education (or designee), Board of Education Chair (or designee), plus invited participants from Department of Education, teachers unions, nonprofits, and distance learning experts; must report by twenty days before 2022 Regular Session convening and dissolves January 30, 2022.