HI HB2005

Establishes the Language Access Education and Workforce Development Program at the University of Hawaii to train participants as qualified translators and interpreters in fields including education, healthcare, social services, law, agriculture, and government.

Program curriculum covers translation and interpretation training, ethics, standards, and best practices, with participants completing educational requirements including paid internships through the Hele Imua program of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Priority enrollment given to high school graduates who earned the State's seal of biliteracy; other applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language through program standards or the Global Seal of Biliteracy testing.

Program administered by the SEED office at UH Manoa in collaboration with the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and other public and private entities across all UH campuses statewide.

Appropriates unspecified general fund amounts for fiscal year 2026-2027, including funding for staff positions, with an effective date of July 1, 3000.