Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 709: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Requires the Department of Health to approve the content of such training. Clarifies the scope of treatment permitted under assisted community treatment orders. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of requests for a court order to provide treatment over a patient's objection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DOH to track mental health crisis data and coordinate assisted treatment, strengthening mental health service infrastructure and patient access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 3133: RELATING TO PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.

Specifies that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans issued by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to provide coverage for clinical preventive services. Authorizes the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations. Clarifies that, for child health supervision services coverage, the prevailing medical standards include recommendations by the Department of Health. Prohibits denial of coverage and prior authorization for clinical preventive services based on medical necessity. Specifies that a registered pharmacist may order a vaccine in accordance with the recommendations from the Department of Health. Exempts this measure from an Auditor impact assessment report. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage without cost-sharing for preventive services, expanding access and strengthening public health initiatives through DOH recommendations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2804: RELATING TO COMMERCE.

SB 2804 bars companies from acquiring or holding stocks or investments that reduce access to healthcare services or raise insurance premiums. It directly affects corporations and investment entities making such financial decisions. The key provision prohibits these specific stock holdings if they demonstrably harm healthcare affordability or availability. The bill aims to prevent corporate investment practices that negatively impact patients and insurance costs, without specifying enforcement details.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBars corporate investments harming healthcare access/affordability, directly advancing patient access and reducing insurance costs per bill's core provision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 1279: RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Authorizes a registered pharmacist under contract with a covered entity for purposes of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to supervise the filling or receipt of a prescription via telehealth in certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes pharmacists to supervise telehealth prescriptions under 340B, expanding access for medically underserved patients via telepharmacy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 298: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

SB 298 would allocate additional state funds to the Department of Human Services to expand Medicaid in-home care services. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries requiring in-home support, such as elderly or disabled individuals, by increasing access to these services. The bill's key provision is a funding increase for existing in-home care programs under Medicaid, effective July 1, 3000. It is currently pending committee review in the Health and Human Services committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates additional state funds to expand Medicaid in-home care, increasing government spending on public services per appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates additional state funds to expand Medicaid in-home care services, directly increasing access to healthcare for elderly/disabled beneficiaries through enhanced funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1308: RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Law Enforcement. 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 DLE to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes general excise tax on sports wagering operators and funds Problem Gambling Prevention Special Fund, directly advancing tax revenue allocation for public health programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund administered by DOH, directly funding healthcare services for gambling-related mental health treatment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 1449: RELATING TO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

Requires utilization review entities to submit data relating to the prior authorization of health care services to the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Establishes the Health Care Appropriateness and Necessity Working Group within the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates data reporting and establishes working group to assess prior authorization appropriateness, aiming to improve patient access and reduce unnecessary care delays in healthcare system.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 784: RELATING TO HEALTH.

HB 784 appropriates funds for an additional ambulance based in Makalei on the island of Hawaii, effective July 1, 2050. This bill directly affects emergency medical services on the island by expanding ambulance capacity in the Makalei area. The measure is a straightforward funding allocation with no additional policy changes or regulatory provisions. It was recommended for passage by the Health Committee with amendments in February 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for emergency medical services, directly increasing public service funding under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds for additional ambulance in Makalei, directly expanding emergency medical services capacity under Department of Health. Explicit funding allocation for healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 1323: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace existing chapters related to advance health care directives and advance mental health care directives. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdopts Uniform Health Care Decisions Act to strengthen advance directives and mental health care rights, protecting patient autonomy in healthcare decisions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 480: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

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. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows physicians to refer injured workers for functional capacity exams without employer permission, improving access to healthcare services for workplace injury cases.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves employer permission barrier for medical exams, streamlining access to workers' compensation evaluations and protecting injured workers' rights under compensation process.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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