SB 2968 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT.

Summary

Requires hotelkeepers to supply and provide annual training on the proper use and limitations of a panic button to certain workers no later than 1/1/2027. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 18, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2968 → SB2968_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change its effective date from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2077, while keeping the compliance deadline at 2027. This creates a significant legal inconsistency where the law becomes effective 50 years after it must be complied with. The amendment also updated the bill's metadata to reflect its status as Senate Bill 2968, SD1, and adjusted the associated tracking numbers and revision details.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the panic button training requirement remains functionally unchanged, but the timeline is now logically flawed due to the extreme delay in the effective date.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the panic button training requirement was changed from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2077, creating a 50-year gap between when the law takes effect and when compliance is required.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated from 'SB2968' to 'SB2968 SD1' to reflect its current legislative status.

Metadata fields including author names, dates, and revision numbers were updated to match the new SD1 version of the bill.

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 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Reported from LBT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2321) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in LBT were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Lamosao, Moriwaki, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara.

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on LBT has rescheduled its public hearing to 02-11-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on LBT deleted the measure from the public hearing scheduled on 02-09-26 3:01PM; CR 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on LBT has scheduled a public hearing on 02-09-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to LBT, CPN.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

3 primary · 2 co-sponsors