HONOLULU (KHON2) — Members of the legislature’s Working Families Caucus were joined by community leaders to present their legislative package for the 2025 session, aiming to protect workers’ rights and address issues affecting families in the islands.
Bills include addressing the child tax credit, SNAP benefits, education and more.
“We are a bipartisan caucus dedicated to supporting the needs of Hawaiʻi’s working families,” said 2025 Working Families Caucus Co-Convener Rep. Jeanne Kapela. “Through our proposed measures, we are working to provide protection, security and a stronger future for families across the state.”
The 2025 Working Families Caucus Bill Package is made up of the following measures:
HB692 — Relating to the Preschool Open Doors Program
This bill would expand the preschool open doors program’s eligibility criteria. The requirement that open door program providers be accredited would be repealed.
HB693 — Relating to the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code
This bill would restrict how much and how often a landlord may increase rent over the course of a 12 month period.
HB694 — Relating to a Child Tax Credit
A refundable child tax credit would be established by this bill, starting in tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2025.
HB695 — Relating to Paid Family Leave
By Jan. 1, 2027, this bill would require the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of the benefits. By Jan. 1, 2028, the department would be required to start receiving claims and paying benefits.
HB696 — Relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
This bill would require the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for SNAP benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project and report to the legislature. Funds would be appropriated to the department to fund the benefits and establish additional positions.
The caucus works closely with unions, allies and organizations dedicated to strengthening economic security for Hawaiʻi’s working families.