SCR 59 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS IN THE STATE WITHOUT A HAWAII-ISSUED LICENSE DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Governor of Hawaii to create procedures allowing out-of-state health care professionals to practice temporarily during a state of emergency without holding a Hawaii license. The measure specifically targets physicians, nurses, pharmacists, mental health counselors, and other designated professionals who must hold valid licenses in their home jurisdictions and be affiliated with recognized emergency response organizations. Key provisions include permitting telehealth services without prior patient relationships, requiring professionals to register within 24 hours of deployment, and limiting authorization to 60 days or until the emergency ends. The resolution also establishes an online registry for tracking participating professionals and includes liability protections for the state while maintaining malpractice standards for the practitioners.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Mar 12, 2026 Last action May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

SCR59 → SCR59_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision updates the bill number and metadata to reflect its status as Senate Amendment 1 (SD1). The substantive policy changes focus on streamlining emergency response procedures by removing a specific 60-day expiration limit on emergency licenses and expanding the list of eligible organizations to include any qualified volunteer group, not just the military or Red Cross. Additionally, the bill now offers two pathways for professionals to register: self-registration or affiliation with an organization that already handles credentialing, reducing administrative burdens during crises.

Scope change

The bill's applicability broadened to include a wider range of volunteer organizations beyond specific federal or military entities, and the timeline for license expiration was adjusted to remove a fixed 60-day cap.

TIMELINE

Removed the requirement that emergency authorization expires 60 days after activation if the emergency declaration has not ended, allowing licenses to remain valid as long as the state of emergency persists.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded the list of eligible organizations from specific entities like the Red Cross and military units to include any 'qualified volunteer organization' defined by the Governor or Department of Health.

REQUIREMENT

Introduced an alternative registration method allowing professionals to use an organization's internal credentialing system instead of mandatory individual self-registration.

DEFINITION

Changed the term 'Mental health counselors' to the broader 'Mental health professionals' to encompass a wider range of licensed providers.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata including the title to 'SCR59 SD1', the sponsor name to 'SMA', and various numerical identifiers and dates associated with the legislative process.

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

Apr 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

upper

Apr 27, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 827).

upper

Apr 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Adopted with Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kapela excused (1).

lower

Apr 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2249-26), recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Takenouchi; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Marten, Olds.

lower

Apr 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on HLT with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Amato excused (1).

lower

Apr 17, 2026

Committee

Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2178-26), recommending referral to HLT.

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Ichiyama, Morikawa, Poepoe, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Woodson.

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to PBS, HLT, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 458) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3503) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Fukunaga, Hashimoto, Inouye, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM added the measure to the public hearing scheduled on 04-06-26 3:00PM; CR 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to PSM.

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to PSM/CPN.