HI SB355

Requires the school facilities authority to prioritize renovating, improving, and expanding existing public school facilities to increase pre-kindergarten capacity rather than constructing new facilities.

Amends the $200,000,000 appropriation from Act 257 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2022) to direct funds toward expanding existing school facilities for pre-kindergarten, to the greatest extent possible.

Establishes benchmarks for public preschool access: 50% of unserved children ages 3-4 by December 31, 2027, and 100% by December 31, 2032, with all children required to have access to public preschool programs.

Requires the school facilities authority to submit a report to the legislature by January 2024 detailing renovated facilities, identifying additional facilities suitable for renovation, and estimating renovation costs.

Requires the department of human services and executive office on early learning to submit annual progress reports and joint implementation reports to the legislature on early care and education programs.