Hawaii Senate Bill SCR114

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/11/25

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Education, In Collaboration With The Department Of Health And State Public Charter School Commission, To Conduct A Study On The Practices Of Managing Heat Exposure In Department And Charter Schools To Protect Students' Health During Outdoor Activities.

Impact

The study will analyze the feasibility of employing wet bulb globe temperature measurements to assess heat stress effectively. If the Department of Education finds that existing practices are insufficient, they will be tasked with developing detailed guidelines for managing heat exposure. These guidelines would encompass several key components, including hydration protocols, staff training on recognizing symptoms of heat illness, and guidelines for activities in hot weather. Furthermore, these protocols are designed to apply to all schools across the state, indicating a significant potential impact on the safety regulations surrounding student outdoor activities.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 114 (SCR114) seeks to address the increasing concern surrounding heat exposure in Hawaii's schools, especially during outdoor activities. With rising air temperatures and high humidity in the state, the resolution requests the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a comprehensive study on current practices for managing heat exposure in both department and charter schools. The goal of the study is to ensure students' health is safeguarded during outdoor activities such as recess, sports practices, and other physical exercises.

Contention

The resolution highlights the vulnerability of children and younger athletes to heat-related illnesses due to their slower acclimatization processes. It points to a concerning gap in Hawaii's current approach, as the state lacks any formal guidelines for managing extreme heat during outdoor school activities. Given these risks, the call for a detailed study emphasizes the necessity of creating protective strategies to reduce the incidence of heat-related illnesses among students. This underscores a growing recognition of the importance of not only protecting student health but also potentially altering operational practices in schools nationwide.