Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 16, 2026

GM 1370: Informing the Legislature that on July 16, 2026, the following bill became law without the Governor's signature: SB847 SD2 HD2 CD1 (Act 266).

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program allowing qualified clinical psychologists to prescribe specific psychotropic medications under the supervision of a physician or psychiatrist. The program is limited to treating patients between the ages of 18 and 65 at federally qualified health centers located in Kauai and Hawaii counties. The legislation aims to improve access to mental health care in these areas by expanding the scope of practice for psychologists who have completed specialized training in psychopharmacology.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to mental health care by allowing psychologists to prescribe medication in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Mental Health

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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 · 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 · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 97: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALITIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS, AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This House Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile a comprehensive list of recommended safe patient staffing ratios for all nursing specialties across healthcare settings and maintain a public repository of this information. The bill directs the center to make this repository available to the public no later than twenty days before the start of the 2027 legislative session. It also urges healthcare facilities to consider implementing these recommended staffing standards. The resolution is based on findings that safe staffing levels improve patient outcomes and support nurse retention, and it directs copies of the measure to state health officials and hospital executives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes safe patient staffing ratios through a study, aiming to improve healthcare quality and patient safety.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes safe patient staffing ratios which directly protects healthcare workers' workplace safety and working conditions by preventing burnout and ensuring adequate staffing levels.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 105: REQUESTING THE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING STRATEGIES AND RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS, AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This bill requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile and maintain a public list of recommended safe patient staffing ratios for all nursing specialties across various healthcare settings. The measure aims to address concerns about nurse workload and patient safety by gathering existing standards from other states and industry recommendations rather than setting new legal requirements. Healthcare facilities are urged to consider these compiled ratios when determining staffing levels, and the information will be made publicly available before the 2027 legislative session. The resolution focuses on creating a centralized resource to inform decision-making by providers, policymakers, and the public about staffing standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes patient safety by establishing recommended nursing staffing ratios, which improves healthcare quality and protects patient rights.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes nurse staffing safety standards, protecting worker well-being and patient care through recommended ratios rather than restrictive mandates.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 294: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds to support educational training programs to expand the State's health care workforce. Allocates funds to the Department of Education for health care certificate programs and classroom renovations for health care training in public high schools. Allocates funds to the University of Hawaii for education programs that support certified nurse assistants in becoming licensed practical nurses.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates funds to DOE for health care certificate programs, high school classroom renovations, and UH nursing education programs, directly advancing educational infrastructure and workforce training.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds for healthcare workforce training programs, expanding the healthcare workforce and improving service capacity.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds health care workforce training, expanding job opportunities and career advancement for workers in healthcare, directly advancing employment standards and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Healthcare Workforce Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2285: RELATING TO THE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT.

Allows the Governor to enter the State into the multistate Nurse Licensure Compact, which will allow a nurse who is licensed by a home state to practice under a multistate licensure privilege in each party state, effective 1/1/2027. Beginning 1/1/2027, allows 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. Appropriates general revenues.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state nurse practice under Nurse Licensure Compact, expanding healthcare access and workforce mobility for registered and licensed practical nurses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2365: RELATING TO COMMUNITY-BASED CARE.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules mandating that each primary caregiver and substitute caregiver in a Community Care Foster Family Home be a licensed nurse or certified nurse aide. Makes the requirements for primary and substitute caregivers applicable to all Community Care Foster Family Homes, regardless of the number of clients in the home.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates licensed nurses/CNAs for foster home caregivers, strengthening healthcare quality standards in community care settings per DOH requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2224: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, requires each public school in the State, including charter schools, to employ, or retain under contract, at least one mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Education to contract for mental health professionals and to establish an unspecified number of full‑time equivalent mental health professional positions within the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to require mental health professionals per 250 students, enhancing student mental health support in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health professionals in schools with funding, directly advancing mental health services per healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1579: RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Mandates reimbursement for services provided by participating registered pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice by private and public health plans in the State after 7/1/2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance reimbursement for pharmacists' services, expanding patient access to care and strengthening coverage under health plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health

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