Healthcare (Hospitals)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

GM 1323: Informing the Legislature that on July 9, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2271 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 221).

This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 221 into law on July 9, 2026. The law expands hospital licensing options by allowing facilities to use accreditation from any Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-approved organization, not just The Joint Commission. Under the new rules, hospitals that maintain full accreditation or certification can be exempt from routine state licensing inspections, though the department retains the right to investigate complaints or adverse findings. Additionally, reports and letters from these accrediting bodies will become public information.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands hospital licensing options and reduces inspection burdens for accredited facilities, improving operational efficiency and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

GM 1320: Informing the Legislature that on July 9, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1864 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 218).

This bill mandates that health and hospital insurance policies issued or renewed in Hawaii after December 31, 2026, must cover standard fertility preservation services for individuals undergoing medically necessary treatments that could cause infertility. The law requires insurers to follow established clinical guidelines and prohibits them from denying coverage based on prior diagnoses, life expectancy, disability, or other health conditions. However, the mandate does not apply to experimental procedures, assisted reproduction technologies like donor eggs or surrogacy, or the ongoing storage of frozen reproductive material.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for fertility preservation services, expanding access to reproductive healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 119: REQUESTING THE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to conduct a study compiling recommended safe patient staffing ratios for various hospital units and healthcare settings. The study will use existing state bills as a framework and incorporate guidelines from major professional nursing organizations, including those specializing in critical care, emergency, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing. The Center for Nursing is asked to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature and Department of Health by early 2027, with the goal of providing data to help healthcare facilities implement safer staffing levels.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests study on safe patient staffing ratios to improve healthcare quality and patient safety, aligning with support indicators for protecting patient rights and improving healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to establish safe patient staffing ratios, which directly improves workplace safety and protects nursing staff from burnout and injury risks.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 116: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED, PLACE-BASED STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE NEEDS ON THE WAIANAE COAST.

This bill requests the City and County of Honolulu and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated strategic action plan for addressing behavioral health and homelessness on the Waianae Coast. The plan would analyze emergency response times, hospital utilization, and current shelter capacity to identify service gaps and high-need areas in the region. It also requires the agencies to evaluate how well outreach teams, behavioral health providers, and first responders work together and to explore options for establishing a regional crisis stabilization center. The agencies must include community-based service providers in the planning process and submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to develop a strategic action plan for behavioral health and homelessness, improving access to mental health services and healthcare coordination.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests development of strategic action plan to address homelessness and behavioral health needs, which directly supports housing solutions and homelessness response efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Homelessness

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 112: REQUESTING THE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to conduct a study compiling recommended safe patient staffing ratios for various hospital units and healthcare settings. The study will use existing state bills as a framework and incorporate standards from major professional nursing organizations such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the Society of Pediatric Nurses. The Center is asked to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature and Department of Health by late 2026, with results published on an online dashboard. The resolution also urges healthcare facilities to consider implementing the compiled staffing standards to improve patient safety and nurse retention.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests study on safe patient staffing ratios to improve healthcare quality and patient safety, aligning with support indicators for protecting patient rights and improving healthcare standards85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to establish safe patient staffing ratios, which directly protects healthcare workers from unsafe working conditions and promotes workplace safety standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 177: 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 Resolution asks the Governor and Hawaii's Department of Health to work with the U.S. Department of Defense and military partners to explore creating a partnership between military and civilian trauma care systems. The bill specifically targets Tripier Army Medical Center, requesting it be evaluated as a potential receiving facility for civilian trauma patients within Hawaii's existing trauma network. Key provisions include studying opportunities for the military hospital to accept civilian patients, examining ways to fund such care, and investigating regulatory changes needed for reimbursement. The resolution also calls for developing tele-trauma consultation services to help rural hospitals with patient assessment and triage. The Department of Health must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to strengthen Hawaii's trauma system by establishing military-civilian partnerships and evaluating Tripler Army Medical Center as a receiving facility, improving patient access to trauma care.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill seeks to strengthen trauma care partnerships between military and civilian systems, potentially expanding healthcare access for veterans at Tripler Army Medical Center.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 65: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL FOR CERTAIN MENTALLY ILL- CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to create a plan for increasing access to the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the facility who are at risk of reoffending. The bill is non-binding and does not authorize funding or change laws; instead, it directs the Senior Advisor to coordinate with relevant state agencies to develop placement options for these individuals. The resolution requires a report with findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure addresses concerns about the hospital reaching capacity and the lack of suitable placements for people under civil commitment or those transitioning out of the mental health system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill aims to improve access to mental health treatment for criminal defendants, reducing recidivism and supporting rehabilitation within the justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase access to mental health services for criminal defendants and at-risk individuals, strengthening healthcare access and mental health support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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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

Sub-Topics Corrections Hospitals Mental Health

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 57: 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 Resolution asks Hawaii's Disability and Communication Access Board to study how healthcare providers can better communicate with deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind patients. The study will examine interpreter availability, patient preferences, special needs in hospital and nursing facility settings, and legal requirements for communication services. Based on its findings, the Board will update existing guidance for healthcare providers and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by late 2027. This resolution does not create new laws but directs a study to improve communication access for individuals with hearing or vision disabilities in medical settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates study and guidelines to improve healthcare communication access for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, enhancing patient rights and service quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 32: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL FOR CERTAIN MENTALLY ILL- CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.

This House Resolution asks the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to create a plan for increasing access to the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the facility. The request is based on concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity, with most patients being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, which limits available space for other needed placements. The resolution directs the Senior Advisor to develop a strategy for creating shelter placements for these populations and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026. This measure focuses on improving coordination among state agencies to address placement shortages rather than changing existing laws or funding levels.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to improve access to mental health services for criminal defendants, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through better treatment options.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase access to mental health services by expanding capacity at Hawaii State Hospital for criminal defendants, directly improving patient access to healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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