HI SB819

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish a new "visiting international teacher license" to facilitate cultural and educational exchange between Hawaii and other countries

Addresses the disparity between Hawaii's student population (22.4% Filipino) and educator representation (7.4% Filipino) by streamlining licensing for international teachers in the J-1 visa program

Currently 218 internationally certified educators, primarily from the Philippines, serve in 55 public schools statewide through the J-1 visa program

Removes the "emergency hire" classification for J-1 teachers, which currently requires additional examinations costing over $1,000 and makes them ineligible for hard-to-fill position compensation

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to submit a report to the legislature by twenty days prior to the 2026 regular session on supporting international teachers through the J-1 visa program