Labor

Authorizes an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination and refer an injured employee for the examination without first obtaining permission from the employee's employer in order to assess the employee's ability to return to work. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. (CD1)

Repeals the authorization of a physician to transmit a treatment plan by mail or facsimile and the requirement that the physician submit the plan to an address or facsimile number provided by the employer. Requires an employer to file a response, either accepting or objecting to a treatment plan, within ten days of receipt. Imposes a monetary penalty if an employer does not file a response within the ten-day period, unless there was good cause for the delay. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file certain documents within the ten-day period. Imposes penalties on employers found to have improperly denied a treatment plan. (CD1)

Requires all places of public accommodation and public entity construction projects planned and designed after 7/31/2027 to provide at least one universal changing accommodation within the building in a public restroom, with certain exceptions. Makes conforming amendments to sections 489-6, 489-7.5, and 489-8, HRS, to prevent conflicts among the provisions. (CD1)

Updates state position titles in the Hawaii Revised Statutes by changing "private secretary" to "executive assistant" and "secretary" to "administrative assistant", where applicable. (CD1)

This Senate Concurrent Resolution formally recognizes open water lifeguards across Hawaii as first responders, acknowledging their critical role in emergency response, public safety, and community wellbeing. The bill highlights that these lifeguards are often among the first to arrive at emergency scenes, perform life-saving medical interventions, and operate in hazardous ocean and shoreline environments similar to police and firefighters. While the resolution does not change laws or grant new legal rights directly, it urges state and county agencies to ensure lifeguards receive the same resources, training support, and professional respect as other first responders. The measure applies to all open water lifeguards in the state, including those designated as ocean safety or water safety officers in different counties.