Act 46 , established in 2020 created goals to expand preschool access to all 3- and 4-year-olds by 2032.
Senator Bennette Misalucha, SB2700 would update the state’s child care registry and require providers and educators to register with the state, and is a small step toward meeting the goals of Act 46.
"We need to set a foundation, because how can we establish how to get there if we don’t even know where to start? So I think this bill sets us on that roadmap, so we would have the data we need and then this would allow us to plan ahead and plan for the future," Misalucha said.
Misalucha also introduced SB2701, which would establish a pilot stipend program to help retain current caregivers and educators and simultaneously collect essential information about compensation.
"This particular bill covers about 200 individuals. And I think with that data, we will be able to plan ahead, we can have a more informed policy decision regarding this very important workforce. You know, we keep talking about how important our keikis are, but this is the time that we should put our money where our mouth is," Misalucha told Hawaiʻi Public Radio.
** summary taken from https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2022-02-28/hawaii-lawmakers-consider-pilot-stipend-program-to-retain-child-care-workers?_amp=true