Section 26-61 - Benchmarks; duties(a) The department of human services and the executive office on early learning shall ensure access to learning through preschool programs that meet or exceed the following benchmarks: (1) Fifty per cent of all otherwise unserved children who are three to four years of age, or will not be at least five years of age on or before July 31 of the current school year, shall have access to enrollment in a preschool program by December 31, 2027; and(2) One hundred per cent of all children who are three to four years of age, or will not be at least five years of age on or before July 31 of the current school year, shall have access to enrollment in a preschool program by December 31, 2032. The department of human services and the executive office on early learning shall submit an annual report to the legislature, no later than August 31 of each year, on the progress toward achieving the benchmarks until all children who are three to four years of age, or will not be at least five years of age on or before July 31 of the current school year, are enrolled in a preschool program.
(b) The department of human services and the executive office on early learning shall collaborate to identify the need for child care and early learning in geographic regions of the State and consider using public facilities including schools, libraries, and the University of Hawaii system as locations for child care and early learning programs.(c) The department of human services shall work jointly with the executive office on early learning to monitor the progress of implementing the early care and education sector programs. No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2025, 2026, and 2027, the department of human services and the executive office on early learning shall submit to the legislature a joint report on the progress of implementing the early care and education sector programs.(d) The department of human services shall facilitate and support data sharing among public and private entities to the extent not otherwise prohibited by law or rule.Amended by L 2021, c 210,§ 9, eff. 7/6/2021.Added by L 2020, c 46,§ 12, eff. 7/1/2024.