URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO AMEND THE HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES TO AUTHORIZE LICENSED DIETITIANS TO PRESCRIBE MODIFIED DIETS AND PLAN THERAPEUTIC DIETS.

This legislative resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Health to update its administrative rules to allow licensed dietitians to independently prescribe modified and therapeutic diets. The proposal aims to address the state's shortage of physicians by enabling dietitians to write diet orders directly, a practice already permitted in hospital settings by federal guidelines. Under the suggested changes, dietitians would be authorized to plan and adjust nutrition plans for patients, reducing the need for doctors to manage these specific orders. The bill seeks to streamline patient care by letting qualified nutrition professionals handle dietary needs while ensuring all plans are documented in medical records.