URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO AMEND THE HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES TO AUTHORIZE LICENSED DIETITIANS TO PRESCRIBE MODIFIED DIETS AND PLAN THERAPEUTIC DIETS.

This Senate Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Health to update its administrative rules to allow licensed dietitians to independently prescribe modified diets and plan therapeutic diets for patients. The bill aims to address the state's shortage of physicians by enabling dietitians to take on more responsibility for nutrition care, which is already permitted in many hospital settings under federal guidelines. Specifically, the proposed changes would let dietitians write diet orders without needing a physician's direct approval for certain diet types, while still requiring that these plans be reviewed and documented in medical records. This shift is intended to improve patient care efficiency and ensure that patients receive adequate nutritional support within the state's healthcare system.