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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 173: RELATING TO CHILD CARE.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 173 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 13, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO CHILD CARE. Primary sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Stanley Chang (Democratic), Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Joy San Buenaventura (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (December 8, 2025): Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Requires the Judiciary to establish a three-year pilot program to provide free child care services to minor children of parties and witnesses who are attending court hearings in the first circuit. Requires the Judiciary to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Karl RhoadsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate13
Stanley ChangPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate9
Mike GabbardPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate21
Joy San BuenaventuraPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
  2. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 23) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
  3. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
  4. The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
  5. The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
  6. Referred to JDC, WAM.
  7. Introduced and passed First Reading.
  8. Pending Introduction.

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source