HI HR178

Requests the Department of Education implement sensory rooms in all Hawaii public schools to support students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Defines sensory rooms as therapeutic spaces with equipment providing personalized sensory input to help students calm, focus, and self-regulate behavior for improved classroom learning.

Specifies implementation priority order beginning with non-Oahu elementary schools without special education classes, followed by all other elementary schools, then middle/intermediate schools, then high schools.

Notes that as of December 2019, 2,088 students in Hawaii were eligible for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act services under the autism spectrum disorder category.

Requires certified copies be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and Interim Superintendent of Education.