Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2425: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to honor a patient's written assignment of benefits to a substance use disorder treatment provider. Prohibits health insurance policies, plans, contracts, and agreements from including anti-assignment clauses that restrict or invalidate a patient's right to assign benefits. Authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules and take enforcement action to ensure compliance. Deems violations to be unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance. Requires insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to furnish an explanation of benefits to the assigned provider upon request. Effective 1/30/2050. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to honor patient assignments to substance use disorder providers, improving access to mental health treatment and protecting patient rights under healthcare coverage.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 2164: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

HB 2164 defines "compounded prescription drugs" specifically for workers' compensation claims. This bill directly affects injured workers seeking medical coverage and insurers processing those claims. It establishes a clear legal definition to determine which custom-mixed medications qualify for coverage under workers' compensation law. This clarification aims to reduce disputes over medication eligibility in injury claims. The bill does not change existing coverage rules but provides a precise standard for applying them.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies coverage for compounded prescription drugs in workers' comp, reducing disputes and supporting access to necessary medications for injured workers under healthcare coverage.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies medication coverage under workers' comp, reducing disputes for injured workers. Ensures access to necessary medical treatments without changing existing benefit rules.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2360: RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

By 1/1/2029, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2030, requires the Department to begin receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program. Excludes paid family and medical leave benefits from income tax. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes payroll tax funding for family leave program and excludes benefits from income tax, providing tax relief while funding a new public program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state-funded medical leave insurance program, expanding coverage for healthcare-related absences under medical leave provisions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates mandatory paid family leave program with employee protections, expanding worker benefits and rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1537: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to contract with community-based organizations to provide preventive and early intervention mental health services to adolescents within the community. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds for adolescent mental health prevention and early intervention services, directly supporting mental health care access and program expansion.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1876: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Amends the existing prohibition on conversion therapy by prohibiting the practice on persons under the age of twenty-five and the advertisement of such practice. Explicitly provides that talk therapy in the form of pure speech is exempt from the prohibition on conversion therapy. Takes effect upon the certification by the Attorney General that the Supreme Court of the United States has overturned the holding in Chiles v. Salazar, 116 F.4th 1178 (10th Cir. 2024). Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits conversion therapy, a harmful mental health practice, protecting patients and aligning with evidence-based care standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1978: RELATING TO THE WEST HAWAII REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

HB 1978 allocates state funds for planning, design, site work, and construction of a new outpatient care center in North Kona, Hawaii. The bill directly affects residents in the North Kona area who rely on outpatient health services, aiming to expand access to care. Key provisions include funding specific phases of the facility's development, from initial planning to physical construction. This is a funding measure focused on infrastructure, not a policy change affecting broader healthcare regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for outpatient care center construction, directly funding public health infrastructure through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds for outpatient care center construction, expanding healthcare access in North Kona per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2456: RELATING TO DRUGS FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

Requires the Department of Human Services to provide Medicaid prescription drug program recipients with coverage of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs for weight loss. Appropriates funds. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/Medicare coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs and appropriates funds, expanding access to prescription coverage under public health programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2570: RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes general excise tax on sports wagering operators to fund Problem Gambling Prevention Special Fund, creating new tax revenue for public health program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund under DOH, directly funding mental health services related to gambling.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2605: RELATING TO THE ARTS.

Establishes a position within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to support implementation and coordination of specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved and neurodiverse populations. Appropriates funds for the position, programs, and interventions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for specialized arts programs and a new position at the State Foundation, directly funding arts services for underserved populations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for specialized arts programs and therapeutic interventions targeting underserved/neurodiverse students, expanding educational access and support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds therapeutic arts interventions, a mental health service, for underserved populations under healthcare's mental health focus.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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