Establishes a Language Access Education and Workforce Development Program at the University of Hawaii. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. (CD1), the official text

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3238

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that language access is
essential to ensuring equitable access to education, health care, legal
services, emergency services, agricultural programs, and government programs
for Hawaii's diverse communities.
Hawaii's multilingual population requires a trained and culturally
competent workforce of translators and interpreters.

The legislature commends the
department of education for recognizing high school graduates with the seal of
biliteracy.  These students, who have
demonstrated proficiency in English and at least one additional language,
represent a valuable pipeline for meeting the State's language access workforce
needs.

The legislature also finds that
providing a structured pathway, including training and paid internship
opportunities, will help develop qualified bilingual workers who strengthen
workforce development, expand language access services, and create meaningful
career opportunities for the State's residents.

The legislature declares that
establishing a biliteracy program within the university of Hawaii is a matter
of statewide concern pursuant to article X, section 6, of the Hawaii State
Constitution.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act
is to establish a program within the university of Hawaii that enables eligible
high school graduates who have earned the seal of biliteracy and community
members with demonstrated biliteracy competency to be recognized as qualified
translators and interpreters.

SECTION 2.  Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part IV, subpart M, to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:

"§304A-   Language access education and workforce
development program; established.  (a)
There is established within the university of Hawaii the language access
education and workforce development program.

(b)  The language access education and workforce
development program shall be administered by the university of Hawaii SEED office in collaboration with academic
departments on all campuses, the department of education, the department of
labor and industrial relations, and other relevant public and private entities.

(c)  The language access education and workforce
development program shall provide a curriculum for training eligible
participants to be recognized as qualified translators and interpreters.  The curriculum shall include:

(1)  Training in
translation and interpretation, including ethics, standards, and best
practices;

(2)  Specialized
instruction and opportunities for interpretation in public service settings,
including settings related to education, health care, social services, legal
services, agriculture, and government services; and

(3)  A certificate
of completion of program requirements for qualified translation and
interpretation proficiency;

provided
that participants shall complete educational requirements, including
internship opportunities through the hele imua program of the department of
labor and industrial relations; provided further that the program shall include
credit-based and non-credit based opportunities.

(d)
Priority for admission to the language access education
and workforce development program shall be given to applicants who have earned
the seal of biliteracy issued by the department of education.  All other applicants to the language access
education and workforce development program shall demonstrate, as a requirement
of admission, proficiency in English and at least one additional language, as
determined by program standards or by obtaining the Global Seal of Biliteracy
credential."

SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $375,000 or so much thereof as may
be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to carry out the purposes of this Act,
to be allocated as follows:

(1)  $225,000 for the
establishment of three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions; provided that
Leeward community college, Kapiolani community college, and the university of
Hawaii at Manoa shall each host one position; and

(2)  $150,000 to
implement the language access education and workforce development program;
provided that the funds shall be divided equally between Leeward community
college, Kapiolani community college, and the university of Hawaii at Manoa.

The sum appropriated shall be
expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.