HI SR28

Urges the Department of Education to create a priority list for repairing public school fire alarm systems and study acceptable alternatives to current systems.

Requires the Department of Education to submit the priority list with a repair timeline to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2024 Regular Session convenes.

Notes that Hawaii's public school buildings average 72 years old as of 2022, with approximately 20 percent of 257 schools exceeding 100 years in age.

Cites specific incidents including King Intermediate School operating without a working fire alarm for 7 years and Konawaena Elementary School having an inoperative system for 2 years before a 2020 fire occurred.

References the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) requirement that schools maintain functioning fire alarm systems for safety.