SB 1421 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO MEDICAL RECORDS.

Summary

Repeals the requirement for the Department of Health to approve a health care provider's arrangement for the retention and preservation of patients' medical records before the provider ceases operations. Clarifies that retention and preservation of medical records must be consistent with federal and state regulations and requires providers to notify patients on how to access or request copies of their medical records. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Apr 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB1421_HD2 → SB1421_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a House version (HD2) to a Senate version (SD1), updating metadata and dates. The core policy change simplifies the rules for medical record retention when a provider closes, removing the requirement for the Department of Health to approve specific arrangements and clarifying that providers must return records to patients at their last known address rather than just notifying them of access options. The effective date was also moved from a distant future date (July 1, 3000) to immediately upon approval.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on health care providers ceasing operations, but the regulatory burden on the Department of Health was reduced by removing the need for pre-approval of retention plans.

REQUIREMENT

Eliminated the requirement for the Department of Health to approve a provider's arrangements for retaining medical records before the provider ceases operations.

Changed the obligation for providers to notify patients on how to access records to a requirement that providers actually return the medical records to the patient at their last known address.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from July 1, 3000 to immediately upon the bill's approval.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata, including the version number, revision history, and author names from the House to the Senate.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-23-25 3:30PM; Conference Room 329.

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 610).

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Hashem, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Kahaloa.

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Committee

Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1305) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Chun, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to HLT, JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 327) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

upper

Feb 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 9:40AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 326) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors