Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 7, 2026

HB 1961: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Prohibits persons from interfering with another person's access to or from a health care facility or disrupting the normal functioning of a health care facility. Makes violations a petty misdemeanor. Establishes a private right of action. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action for injunctive or other equitable relief. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare facility access and operations via civil remedies, enabling legal action against disruptions that limit patient access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1432: RELATING TO CHANGES TO RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONCERNING PATIENTS, THE COUNTY OF KALAWAO, AND THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT.

Authorizes the Department of Health to continue providing services statewide to Hansen's disease patients living in the community. Repeals sections of Chapter 326, Hawaii Revised Statutes, upon the 1‑year anniversary of the passing of the last patient resident of Kalaupapa as affirmed in the Governor's proclamation. Requires the Department of Health to include community organizations in the transition planning team. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes continued Department of Health services for Hansen's disease patients, maintaining a public health program. Explicitly supports ongoing care for this specific group.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1870: RELATING TO PROTECTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS.

By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies that identify nonpublic areas, establish procedures for warrant verification and staff response, prohibit the collection of certain immigration-status data, and require annual staff training and certain multilingual notices. Requires the Attorney General to publish model policies. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts law enforcement participation in civil immigration enforcement near community services (schools, health care, shelters), promoting trust and access to essential services while aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing ...85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates schools as protected community locations to limit immigration enforcement, ensuring safe access to education and protecting students/staff from disruption in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare facilities from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to services without fear of deportation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects shelters (housing services) from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to housing for vulnerable populations in protected community locations.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill limits state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement near protected community locations (schools, health facilities), safeguarding immigrant access to essential services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 3136: RELATING TO LEAD MATERIALS IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

Amends prohibitions on the use of lead materials in drinking water distribution to align with the Safe Drinking Water Act and related Code of Federal Regulations. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends prohibitions on lead in water infrastructure to align with federal safety standards, reducing lead pollution in drinking water and protecting public health/environment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents lead exposure in drinking water, a public health hazard, aligning with federal health regulations to protect community health and safety.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · House May 29, 2026

HB 1875: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Expands the protections established under Act 2, SLH 2023, to include gender-affirming health care services, including clarifying permitted disclosures of protected health information to address changes in federal regulations. Establishes protections against abusive litigation. Prohibits medical malpractice insurers and health carriers from taking certain adverse actions against health care providers solely on the basis that the health care provider provides lawful reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services. (SD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands protections for gender-affirming and reproductive health care services, prohibits insurer penalties against providers offering lawful care, and clarifies health information disclosures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2505: RELATING TO ASSISTED COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

Clarifies that community mental health outpatient programs that have agreed to provide mental health services to a defendant as part of an assisted community treatment order may prepare a certificate for assisted community treatment and provide the certificate to a defendant and may file an assisted community treatment petition with the Family Court. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes timely assisted community treatment for defendants, diverting them from incarceration to mental health care, reducing recidivism and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires streamlined process for community mental health treatment, improving patient access to outpatient care and reducing involuntary hospitalization delays.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 59: 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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to healthcare services during emergencies by allowing out-of-state professionals to practice without Hawaii licenses, improving patient care availability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 182: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENGAGE WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND OTHER FEDERAL AND MILITARY PARTNERS TO EXPLORE ESTABLISHING A MILITARY-CIVILIAN TRAUMA PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN THE HAWAII TRAUMA SYSTEM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks state officials to work with the U.S. Department of Defense and military partners to explore creating a partnership between military and civilian trauma systems in Hawaii. The bill specifically requests that the Governor and Department of Health evaluate opportunities for Tripier Army Medical Center to serve as a receiving trauma center for civilian patients, investigate funding options for uncompensated care, and consider legislative changes to allow reimbursement for civilian trauma services at military facilities. Additionally, the resolution seeks to develop tele-trauma consultation capabilities to help rural hospitals and improve overall trauma care access across the state. The Department of Health is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the beginning of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to strengthen Hawaii's trauma system by creating military-civilian partnerships and improving trauma care access through Tripler Army Medical Center.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill seeks to strengthen military-civilian trauma partnership and improve access to trauma care at Tripler Army Medical Center for veterans and civilians.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 8: URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 8) urges Hawaii counties to approve or deny building permit applications for home safety modifications within 45 days of receiving a complete application. It specifically targets modifications - like ramps, grab bars, or widened doorways - prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider and deemed essential for the safety or health of older adults (62+) or people with disabilities. The resolution does not create new law but encourages counties to act faster to reduce delays that contribute to fall-related injuries and hospitalizations, citing 2023 data showing over 200 preventable fall deaths among seniors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges expedited home modifications for health safety, improving access for older adults/disabled persons as prescribed by healthcare providers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 32: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO CREATE PLACES OF SHELTER FOR PERSONS UNDER CIVIL COMMITMENT AND FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL AND ARE AT RISK OF RECIDIVISM.

This bill requests the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to develop a plan for increasing access to the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the hospital who are at risk of returning to the justice system. The resolution addresses concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity and that existing diversion programs have not effectively reduced the jail population due to a lack of coordination between state agencies. The plan must identify suitable placements for people in civil commitment or those being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, with a report and any proposed legislation due to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to improve access to mental health treatment for criminal defendants, reducing recidivism and strengthening rehabilitation programs within the justice system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase access to mental health services at Hawaii State Hospital for criminal defendants, addressing capacity issues and improving care coordination.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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