SB 3207 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO BACKGROUND CHECKS.

Summary

Authorizes applicants, operators, and third-party employers, rather than the Department of Health, to conduct background checks of employees and adult volunteers at healthcare facilities. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Feb 17, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB3207 → SB3207_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands the scope of background checks in Hawaii by adding numerous new categories of individuals and entities beyond healthcare facilities, including public schools, child care providers, financial institutions, and law enforcement. It also clarifies that background checks must be rationally related to job duties and introduces a future date (2028) for mandatory fingerprinting requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely healthcare facilities to include a wide range of sectors such as education, child welfare, financial services, and public safety, requiring background checks for employees, volunteers, and applicants in these fields.

SCOPE

Added extensive new requirements for background checks in sectors including public schools, child care, foster care, financial institutions, and various government agencies.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the definition of 'disqualifying crimes' to require that the crime be rationally related to the specific duties of the position, rather than applying a blanket ban.

TIMELINE

Added a specific timeline stating that fingerprint-based background checks will only be mandatory for individuals hired on or after July 1, 2028.

DEFINITION

Renamed the term 'Direct patient access employee' to 'Employee' to broaden the definition and include a wider range of healthcare workers.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded the list of entities presumed to be acting in good faith when relying on background check results to include applicants, operators, and third-party employers.

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 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2293) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

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, McKelvey, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to HHS, JDC.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors