SCR 63 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD TO STUDY THE COMMUNICATION NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, OR DEAF-BLIND IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND MAKE NECESSARY REVISIONS TO THE GUIDANCE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks Hawaii's Disability and Communication Access Board to study how deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind individuals communicate in healthcare settings and to develop updated guidelines for providers. The study will examine interpreter availability, patient preferences, special needs for hospitalized patients, and legal requirements for effective communication. Based on its findings, the Board will revise existing guidance and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This action aims to improve healthcare access for individuals with communication disabilities by ensuring providers understand their specific needs and legal obligations.

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

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SCR63 → SCR63_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to broaden its applicability from the Senate to both Senate and House of Representatives, changing the sponsoring representative and updating metadata dates. The core policy language was revised to clarify that the Disability and Communication Access Board should study communication needs and make necessary revisions to existing guidance, rather than just conducting a study. Technical formatting changes were also made to align the document with the standard SD/HD template.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include the House of Representatives, changing it from a Senate-only resolution to a concurrent resolution for both chambers.

SCOPE

The bill title and sponsor information were updated to reflect that the request now applies to both the Senate and the House of Representatives (SD/HD), whereas it previously applied only to the Senate.

REQUIREMENT

The resolution's request to the Disability and Communication Access Board was strengthened to explicitly include making necessary revisions to current guidance, in addition to studying communication needs.

TECHNICAL

Various metadata fields, including dates, bill numbers, and template versions, were updated to reflect the new version of the bill.

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 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 794).

upper

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3).

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from HSH/HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2227-26), recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to HSH/HLT, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 460) 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 HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3486) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole.

upper

Mar 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-30-26 1:07PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to HHS.

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced

Offered.

upper

3 primary · 3 co-sponsors