SB 451 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

SB 451 would require the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program, enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing Medicaid benefits when they earn income. This program would allow individuals to pay a portion of the cost to stay enrolled in Medicaid while working, rather than losing coverage as earnings increase. The bill is scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2050, but remains under review by the Health and Human Services committee. It directly affects working adults with disabilities who currently face coverage gaps when earning above Medicaid income limits.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB451 → SB451_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated from an introduced version to Senate Bill 451, SD1, reflecting a shift in sponsorship and metadata. The most significant substantive change is the amendment of the effective date, moving the program's start from immediate approval to December 31, 2050, which delays the implementation of the Medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities by several years.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on establishing a Medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities, but the timeline for its applicability has been extended significantly.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from upon approval to December 31, 2050, delaying the program's launch.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated from 'SB451' to 'SB451 SD1', and the sponsor was changed from Devin Choy to Finnley Brakke.

The report title was slightly modified to change 'Buy-in' to 'Buy-In' for consistency.

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

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 531) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 12, 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

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-10-25 1:20PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS, WAM.

upper

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

8 primary · 3 co-sponsors