HB1068 amends Hawaii’s education law to extend workers’ compensation coverage to newly graduated high school students who participate in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs during the summer after graduation. The bill is aimed at supporting the state’s broader education strategy of expanding internships and other structured work-based learning opportunities that help students transition to college, careers, and civic engagement.
Under the bill, a former student who has just graduated from high school would be treated similarly to a current student for workers’ compensation purposes when performing work for a public or private employer as part of an approved program. The State would be deemed the responsible employer for coverage, and the protection would apply only through July 31 of the student’s graduation year. The bill also preserves the exclusive-remedy framework under Hawaii’s workers’ compensation law, meaning claims would be handled within that system rather than through separate tort actions against the State or participating employer.
Impact
The bill would amend section 302A-430, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to explicitly include “new high school graduates” in the category of participants covered by workers’ compensation in DOE-sponsored work-based learning programs. This would change current law by closing a coverage gap for students who graduate before summer internships or similar placements begin, while keeping the existing structure that deems the State the responsible employer for compensation purposes. The measure affects the Department of Education, participating public and private employers, and recent graduates in approved work-based learning programs.
Sentiment
The bill appears generally supportive and noncontroversial in purpose, reflecting a policy interest in expanding internship and work-based learning opportunities for students. The text frames the measure as a practical fix to ensure that graduating seniors are not left without workers’ compensation coverage during the summer transition period. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no evidence of formal opposition or debate in the available materials.
Contention
The main policy issue is the scope of workers’ compensation coverage for individuals who are no longer technically students but are still participating in DOE-sponsored programs. The bill resolves that issue by extending coverage only through July 31 of the graduation year, which limits the State’s exposure and may address concerns about open-ended liability. Potential points of concern, though not documented in the provided record, could include the cost of coverage, administrative implementation by the Department of Education, and whether the State should be treated as the responsible employer for former students working with private employers.