SB 49 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO TERMINAL ILLNESSES.

Summary

Authorizes manufacturers of investigational drugs or biological products that are pending approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration to make the drugs or products available to terminally ill patients under certain conditions. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB49 → SB49_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change its structure from amending a single existing statute to creating an entirely new chapter in the Hawaii Revised Statutes. This revision standardizes terminology by replacing 'physician' with 'health care provider' and adds a specific exclusion for facilities regulated under Chapter 323F. Additionally, the effective date was extended from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2050.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a single section amendment to a new chapter, and the applicability was broadened to include all licensed health care providers rather than just physicians, while explicitly excluding certain regulated facilities from eligibility.

STRUCTURE

Changed the legislative mechanism from amending Chapter 321 to adding a completely new chapter.

DEFINITION

Replaced the term 'treating physician' with 'treating health care provider' throughout the bill to broaden the definition of who can recommend treatment.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an explicit exclusion stating that patients treated at facilities regulated pursuant to Chapter 323F are not eligible for this program.

TIMELINE

Extended the effective date of the bill from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2050.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and metadata to reflect the new chapter structure and SD1 designation.

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 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 90) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN/JDC.

upper

Jan 29, 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 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 01-29-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS, CPN/JDC.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors