This bill directs the state to increase Medicaid funding for residential care services in community foster family homes and expanded adult residential care homes. The legislation appropriates $1.7 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to raise reimbursement rates to the "medium" level identified in a 2022 study, addressing previous funding gaps that hindered providers from offering employee benefits. The Department of Human Services must secure the maximum available federal matching funds and explore other private grants before spending the money. These changes are designed to help care providers operate sustainably and expand options for older Hawaiians who need long-term care closer to home.
This bill clarifies that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are enrolled in specific Medicaid waiver programs can live in community care foster family homes without losing their waiver benefits. It amends state statutes to ensure that residency in these homes is not denied solely based on a person's disability status or their participation in a particular Medicaid program. The legislation also updates regulations for these homes, including requirements for caregiver age, continuing education, and limits on how long primary caregivers can be absent while maintaining staffing standards.
This bill requires all hospitals with emergency departments in Hawaii to report de-identified patient data to the state Department of Health for syndromic surveillance. The collected information, which includes chief complaints, diagnoses, and visit dates, will be used to automatically detect disease outbreaks and public health threats without revealing individual identities. By establishing a state-run reporting program, the legislation allows the Department of Health to customize data analysis for local needs and reduces reliance on a voluntary federal system. This change aims to improve the state's ability to respond quickly to health emergencies, including pandemics, natural disasters, and other public health concerns.
This bill directs the Executive Office on Aging to create a detailed plan for studying how to pay for long-term care services in Hawaii. The study will examine various public and private financing options to determine which methods are feasible and cost-effective for the state's growing senior population. To carry out this work, the bill authorizes the office to hire the University of Hawaii to develop the study's framework and provides specific funding for these efforts. Ultimately, the legislation aims to gather data-driven insights before establishing a new long-term care financing program.
This bill establishes the Hanai Memory Network Program within the Executive Office on Aging to improve dementia care across Hawaii. The program will create dementia care specialists and memory clinics to help with early diagnosis, care planning, and coordination of services for individuals with cognitive impairment and their families. It also sets up a statewide referral system, a public website for information, and training for healthcare providers to ensure better access to support, particularly in rural and neighbor island areas.
This bill establishes a one-year pilot program called KupunAloha to provide in-home health care and support services to elderly individuals in Hawaii who cannot afford care and do not qualify for existing government assistance. The Department of Health will manage the program by creating care plans for eligible applicants, contracting with healthcare providers, and setting specific income and need criteria, while excluding those already covered by Medicaid or other aid. A total of $2 million is appropriated from state general revenues to fund the initiative, which is authorized to run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Before the program ends, the Department of Health must submit a report to the legislature evaluating its effectiveness and offering recommendations on whether to make the program permanent.
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.
This bill updates Hawaii's emergency medical laws to create a modern, integrated system of care that addresses time-sensitive emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, and trauma. It directly affects emergency responders, hospitals, and patients by establishing statewide protocols and ensuring coordinated care across all islands. Key provisions redefine basic life support to allow for more advanced procedures like IV lines and defibrillation under specific supervision, while also mandating a minimum number of ground ambulance units per county. The legislation aims to improve patient outcomes and strengthen the state's ability to handle disasters and public health crises.
This bill, known as Act 131, amends Hawaii's workers' compensation laws to streamline how doctors submit treatment plans to employers. It allows physicians to send these plans via mail, fax, or secure electronic means, with the plan considered received once transmission is confirmed. Employers must respond to the plan within ten days by accepting it or providing specific medical evidence for an objection; failure to respond is treated as acceptance and may result in a $1,000 fine. Additionally, the law permits employers to object later only if new medical evidence arises and establishes that employers denying plans without reasonable grounds must pay the injured employee's legal costs.
This bill, signed into law on June 5, 2026, allows chiropractic students to perform clinical training under specific conditions. To qualify, students must be enrolled in an accredited program, work under the direct supervision of a licensed chiropractor who remains physically present, and obtain informed consent from patients before providing care. The legislation also requires the state board to create rules defining supervision standards and service scopes, while mandating a report to the legislature by 2027 to review implementation and patient safety. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, with the clinical training provisions beginning later on July 1, 2028.
