SB 1271 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.

• 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 ages birth through five in approved early learning settings for at least two consecutive years following program completion, or repay stipend funds proportionally.

• Authorizes the office to contract with collection agencies to recover delinquent stipend repayments, which must be deposited into the Early Learning Special Fund.

• Takes effect July 1, 2051.