Labor & Employment (Workers' Compensation)

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1509: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Repeals the authorization of a physician to transmit a treatment plan by mail or facsimile and the requirement that the physician submit the plan to an address or facsimile number provided by the employer. Requires an employer to file a response, either accepting or objecting to a treatment plan, within ten days of receipt. Imposes a monetary penalty if an employer does not file a response within the ten-day period, unless there was good cause for the delay. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file certain documents within the ten-day period. Imposes penalties on employers found to have improperly denied a treatment plan. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer response to treatment plans within 7 days with penalties for delay, ensuring timely medical care for injured workers under workers' compensation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2387: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL BENEFITS.

Expands workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma of the respiratory system; cancer of the buccal cavity, cervix, colon, esophagus, ovary, pharynx, skin, female reproductive organs, including the uterus, endometrium, and fallopian tubes, and thyroid; and malignant melanoma. Specifies that an employer may deny medical benefits under workers' compensation law only if they prove that the cancer or disease was not associated with firefighting duties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands workers' comp medical coverage for firefighters to include specific cancers, strengthening healthcare access for affected workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' comp medical benefits for firefighters to cover job-related cancers, strengthening occupational illness protections and coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 959: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Exempts the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs from the general excise tax. Incrementally increases the general excise tax over four years, with the increased proceeds during certain fiscal years to be deposited into the general fund. Removes the state income tax on unemployment compensation benefits. Doubles the standard deduction for individuals earning less than $100,000 and joint returns earning less than $200,000. Repeals the incremental increases on standard income tax deduction amounts. Increases the minimum income threshold and exemption amount for the low-income household renters' income tax credit. Removes the tax liability for the first $100,000 of individual income earned. Establishes the Maui Recovery Special Fund to be used for recovery programs related to the 2023 Maui wildfires. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts groceries/nonprescription drugs from tax, removes income tax on unemployment, and doubles standard deductions for lower/middle income earners, providing direct tax relief.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves income tax on unemployment benefits, increasing take-home pay for workers during job loss, directly supporting unemployment benefits as a key labor/employment safety net.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Sales Tax Tax Credits Unemployment Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2042: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Requires an audit for a self-insured employer or an insurance carrier that defaults in workers' compensation payments to identify other instances of unpaid compensation claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires audits for unpaid workers' comp claims, ensuring accountability and protecting workers' right to compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2393: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Requires an employer to file a response, either accepting or objecting to a treatment plan, within seven days of receipt. Imposes a monetary penalty if an employer does not file a response within the seven-day period. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file certain documents within the seven-day period.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to timely respond to treatment plans with penalties for delay, protecting injured workers' access to care under workers' compensation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 423: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Clarifies the process for selecting a certified provider of rehabilitation services. Requires providers to automatically approve vocational rehabilitation services for an injured employee if those services will likely be required for suitable gainful employment. Requires providers to file an employee's vocational plan no later than ninety days after submitting an initial evaluation report, with certain exceptions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires automatic approval of vocational rehab services for injured workers, ensuring timely access to benefits under workers' compensation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1515: 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 in order to assess the employee's ability to return to work. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows physicians to refer for medical exams without employer approval, improving access to functional capacity evaluations for injured workers under workers' comp, enhancing healthcare service delivery in workplace injury cases.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves employer permission barrier for medical exams in workers' comp, streamlining access for injured employees and protecting their rights to timely evaluations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2088: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE PLANS FOR WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, to establish and implement a five-year voluntary Nontraditional Workforce Portable Health Care Benefit Plan Pilot Program that offers high deductible health plans or catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers who are ineligible for health benefits provided by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund or prepaid health care plans under the Prepaid Health Care Act. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates voluntary pilot program to provide high deductible/catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers excluded from existing coverage, expanding access to health benefits.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates voluntary portable health benefits pilot for nontraditional workers ineligible for existing plans, expanding access to health care benefits as part of employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Gig Economy Workers' Compensation

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 828: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL BENEFITS.

Expands workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma of the respiratory system; cancer of the buccal cavity, colon, pharynx, and thyroid; and malignant melanoma. Specifies that an employer may prove that the cancer or disease was not associated with the firefighting duties to deny medical benefits under workers' compensation law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands workers' comp medical coverage for firefighters' cancer treatments, directly increasing healthcare access for a specific high-risk group.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' comp medical benefits for firefighters to cover specific job-related cancers, directly advancing worker health protections under Labor & Employment.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 864: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Allows newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs. Requires an annual report. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables students in DOE work-based learning programs to access workers' comp, enhancing safety and participation in educational internships.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends workers' compensation coverage to high school graduates in work-based learning programs, protecting them from work injury risks during summer employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education Child Labor Workers' Compensation

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