HI HB1296

Establishes an Early Intervention Services Working Group within the Department of Health to study and recommend ways to assist deaf and hard of hearing children, including best practices in early intervention services and education.

Working group membership includes representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, University of Hawaii, Department of Education, legislative committees, the Executive Office on Early Learning, an entity serving deaf or hard of hearing children, and a parent of a deaf or hard of hearing child under five years old.

Working group shall submit a report of findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

Department of Health shall provide administrative support to the working group; members serve without compensation but receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses including travel.

Appropriates unspecified general revenues for fiscal year 2023-2024 to cover expenses of the working group.