SB 1596 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO NURSING.

Summary

Requires the State Board of Nursing to identify one facility in each of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui that has the capability to establish a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center as a test site to administer a National Council Licensure Examination for nurses; equip each facility identified with the technical and facility requirements necessary for a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center; and submit an application for each facility to Pearson Education, Inc. to be authorized and contracted as a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1596 → SB1596_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill transfers responsibility for establishing new NCLEX testing sites from the Department of Health to the State Board of Nursing. The change ensures that the nursing board, rather than the general health department, directly manages the selection and setup of testing centers in Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui to better serve nursing students.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from the Department of Health to the State Board of Nursing, which is the regulatory body specifically responsible for nursing standards and licensure.

SCOPE

Responsibility for establishing Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers was moved from the Department of Health to the State Board of Nursing.

REQUIREMENT

The deadline for submitting applications to Pearson Education was adjusted to allow the new Board more time to complete its work.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from immediate approval to December 31, 2050.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 558) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors