HI SB2616

Extends the maximum emergency hiring period for unlicensed teachers from three years to five years for both the Department of Education and charter schools.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to adopt rules facilitating the emergency hiring process for unlicensed individuals working toward teaching credentials.

Mandates that during declared states of emergency, the Board shall extend the five-year period by authorizing additional time to complete licensing requirements.

Emergency hires must demonstrate active pursuit of teacher licensure each year of employment and can only be hired when no properly licensed teachers are available for specific assignments.

Addresses Hawaii's chronic teacher shortage by allowing more time for emergency hires to complete coursework, standardized tests, certification programs, fieldwork, and teaching evaluations while maintaining classroom responsibilities.