Authorizes the Hawaii Medical Board to issue an active retired clinician license to retired physicians, osteopathic physicians, and surgeons with inactive Hawaii medical licenses to provide volunteer clinical work through community-based health care or public health organizations.
Beginning 1/1/2027, authorizes the Governor to enter the PA Licensure Compact to create a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing authority of the Hawaii Medical Board and provides a streamlined process that allows a PA to become licensed in multiple states, thereby enhancing the portability of a PA license and ensuring the safety of patients. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Authorizes physicians to practice at organized ambulatory health care facilities even if the physician does not have hospital privileges at a licensed hospital in the same geographic location as the ambulatory facility. Provides that a written transfer agreement is not required to transfer a patient from an organized ambulatory health care facility to a licensed hospital.
Requires the Hawaii Medical Board to establish standards for health care providers to ensure that a patient's consent to treatment is an informed consent. Requires that informed consent for a proposed medical or surgical treatment or a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure shall be obtained before the day of that treatment or procedure. Specifies that if the treatment or procedure is to occur on the same day it is scheduled, the informed consent shall be obtained at the time the decision is made to schedule that treatment or procedure.
Authorizes the Governor to enter the State into a multistate Nurse Licensure Compact that will allow a nurse who is licensed by a home state to practice under a multistate licensure privilege in each party state. Beginning 7/1/20 , requires each person who holds a multistate nurse license issued by another state and is employed by a health care facility to complete annual demographic data surveys. Authorizes the State Board of Nursing to charge different fees for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold a multistate license issued by the State. Provides that the Nurse Licensure Compact shall become effective and binding in the State two years after the Act takes effect.
Requires the Hawaii Medical Board to establish standards for health care providers to ensure that a patient's consent to treatment is an informed consent. Requires that informed consent for a proposed medical or surgical treatment or a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure shall be obtained before the day of that treatment or procedure. Specifies that if the treatment or procedure is to occur on the same day it is scheduled, the informed consent shall be obtained at the time the decision is made to schedule that treatment or procedure.
HB 2558 expands telehealth access for state residents by allowing out-of-state medical providers to deliver certain clinical treatments via telehealth. It directly affects residents seeking remote care and out-of-state healthcare providers who can now legally offer these services within the state. The key provision removes current restrictions, enabling licensed providers from other states to conduct specific telehealth consultations and treatments for state residents. This policy change aims to increase healthcare access options without requiring providers to obtain additional state licenses for these services.
HB 2552 allows temporary exemptions from specific healthcare licensing requirements during declared emergencies, enabling out-of-state or temporarily unlicensed healthcare workers to provide services. It directly affects healthcare workers seeking to practice during crises and patients needing urgent care access. The bill mandates that the state submit an annual report to the legislature detailing how these waivers were implemented and their impact. This creates a structured process for expanding workforce flexibility in emergencies while maintaining accountability.
Creates a framework for the licensure of rural emergency hospitals by the Department of Health. Provides for the continuation of Medicaid policy protections for hospitals transitioning to a rural emergency hospital designation.
Mandates reimbursement for services provided by participating registered pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice by private and public health plans in the State beginning January 1, 2026.
