Harm to Students Registry: Protecting Student Safety in Hawai‘i

News Release from Hawaii DoE, Jan 27, 2026

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (Department) maintains the Harm to Students Registry (Registry) in accordance with Act 156, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2024 (Act 156).  The Registry supports student safety by informing employment and access decisions at educational institutions statewide.

What is the Registry?

The Registry is a confidential statewide database listing individuals who have harmed a student at any pre-school through high school institution in the State of Hawaiʻi, as defined by law, following an investigation, appeal, if applicable, and final finding that the individual has inflicted harm upon a student.

Pre-school through high school institutions, including public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and early learning educational programs, use the Registry to help prevent individuals with a final finding of harm from volunteering or working in positions that would place them in close proximity to students at other educational institutions in Hawaiʻi.

Who must be included in the Registry?

An individual shall be included in the Registry if they are or were an employee, volunteer, or contractor who works or worked in close proximity to students and a final finding has been issued that they inflicted harm upon a student, as defined by law.

Individuals are notified by the educational institution that placed them on the Registry.

How is the Registry managed?

The Department oversees the Registry’s overall administration, including reporting procedures, data management, and access controls, in coordination with educational entities statewide.

Participating entities include public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and early learning educational programs.

Each educational institution is responsible for submitting information to the Registry and for managing any required updates in accordance with Act 156.  The law also provides an appeal process, which allows individuals to request removal from the Registry.  Appeals must be submitted to the institution that originally placed the individual on the Registry.

When is the Registry used?

The Department checks the Registry for all new hires, volunteers, and contractors before they are permitted to work or have access to Hawaiʻi public school campuses or property.

Registry checks are conducted separately from criminal background checks and completed prior to initiating the background check process.

Individuals placed on the Registry by the Department may review the Department’s removal procedures for additional information.

Who can access the Registry?

Access to the Registry is strictly limited and governed by law.  Registry information is used solely for student safety and employment screening purposes.

Under Act 156, the Registry is exempt from the Uniform Information Practices Act. Information contained in the Registry is not a public record and is not subject to public disclosure.

Who can I contact with questions?

For general questions about the Harm to Students Registry, please contact hts.registry@k12.hi.us.