This document is a formal message from the Governor of Hawaii to the legislature announcing that he signed HB1686 into law on June 27, 2024. The bill, titled Act 092, directly affects motor vehicle insurance policies in the state by increasing the reimbursement rate for chiropractic treatments. Specifically, it raises the authorized benefit from $75 to $100 per visit for up to thirty visits, while maintaining the existing limit of five x-rays at $50 each. This change updates the fee schedule to better align with current costs, which the legislature noted are currently the lowest in the nation despite Hawaii having the highest cost of living. The law takes effect immediately upon the Governor's approval.
This bill increases the state death benefit reimbursement for cremation and disposition of unclaimed bodies from $800 to $1,600. It directly affects the Department of Human Services, licensed mortuaries, and cemeteries that currently handle these services for individuals who were eligible for medical or financial assistance at the time of their death. The change aims to better cover the rising market costs of these services, which are estimated at approximately $2,400, and includes an appropriation of $277,600 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to fund the increase. The new law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and removes the 60-day submission deadline for county medical examiners or coroners to apply for payment.
This bill allows the state of Hawaii to negotiate directly with private parties for public land leases involving commercial, industrial, and maritime uses, bypassing the traditional public auction process. By streamlining the leasing procedure, the legislation aims to reduce vacancies and generate a steady income stream for the state. The act permits lease terms of up to thirty-five years, with longer durations allowed for aquaculture and maritime operations, provided that at least two public hearings are held before approval.
This bill is a procedural message from the Governor to the Legislature confirming that Act 116 was signed into law on June 27, 2024. The underlying law amends existing statutes related to the University of Hawaii research to change how certain provisions apply retroactively and to repeal specific sections that are no longer needed. It also reenacts two specific sections of state law in their previous form as of June 11, 2018. The changes take effect on June 29, 2024, and the bill directly impacts the legal framework governing university research activities in Hawaii.
This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii on June 27, 2024, allows minors aged 14 to 17 to consent to their own medical care without needing permission from parents or guardians. Specifically, it grants these teenagers the legal authority to seek treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as well as services related to pregnancy and family planning. The law treats these minors as adults for the purpose of giving consent in these specific situations, meaning their agreement is final and cannot be overturned later. By updating state statutes, the bill ensures that healthcare providers can offer these essential services to adolescents directly, removing the requirement for parental approval.
This bill requires the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General to help prepare and file petitions for assisted community treatment for individuals leaving psychiatric facilities. Under the new rules, doctors and nurses must evaluate patients before discharge to see if they need this support, and the Attorney General's office will assist with legal paperwork and court appearances unless the patient chooses to handle it themselves. The law also clarifies the specific information needed to file these petitions and allows medical certificates to be submitted with the request to support the case.
This bill amends Hawaii law to allow licensed physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses to sign Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms without requiring a face-to-face examination of the patient. The change directly affects patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses, particularly those in hospice care, by removing a barrier that previously delayed the creation of these critical medical orders. By clarifying that the "examination" requirement does not mandate an in-person meeting, the legislation aims to ensure that vulnerable patients can receive their care preferences documented promptly. This update aligns state regulations with Medicare guidelines, which do not require a face-to-face encounter for hospice patients within their first six months of care.
This bill, signed into law as Act 097, permits licensed dental hygienists in Hawaii to apply dental sealants to children's teeth in school-based programs. The legislation aims to improve access to preventive dental care for low-income students, who are at higher risk for tooth decay, by allowing hygienists to place these protective coatings without requiring a prior dental examination. By removing certain restrictions on dental hygienists, the act seeks to help Hawaii address its low ranking in national efforts to prevent dental disease among children. The law also notes that Medicaid already covers sealants for eligible recipients and encourages the state to explore funding options for these school-based initiatives.
This bill amends Hawaii Revised Statutes to clarify insurance coverage for specific medical services provided by non-physician practitioners. It ensures that accident and health insurance policies must reimburse for visual services performed by optometrists, surgical procedures performed by dentists, and psychological services performed by psychologists, provided these actions fall within their respective legal scopes of practice. Additionally, the legislation mandates that most health insurance plans issued after February 1, 1991, cover low-dose mammograms for women aged 40 and older, as well as for younger women with a family history of breast cancer. These changes aim to align insurance reimbursement rules with the professional capabilities of various licensed healthcare providers rather than restricting coverage solely to physicians.
This bill, signed into law on June 27, 2024, streamlines medical care for employees in Hawaii who suffer serious spinal injuries at work that could lead to paralysis. Under the new rules, injured workers can receive specific diagnostic tests like MRIs of the cervical or lumbar spine, as well as consultations with orthopedic or neurologic specialists, during the first 60 days after their injury without needing a pre-approved treatment plan. These provisions apply when a physician determines the employee has symptoms indicating nerve issues or visible traumatic injuries in the spine. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and requires specialists to notify employers of consultations within seven days and submit written reports within fourteen days.
This bill is a procedural message from the Governor to the Legislature confirming that Act 115 was signed into law on June 27, 2024. The underlying Act 115 amends a previous technology transfer law at the University of Hawaii to repeal its existing provisions. Consequently, the specific section of the law being amended is set to expire and be repealed on June 30, 2024. The new effective date for this repeal is June 29, 2024, marking the end of that specific legislative framework.
This bill establishes a procurement preference for Hawaii-based accounting service businesses to support local employment and economic growth. When the state purchases accounting services, non-Hawaii firms must increase their bid prices by twenty percent to compete against local providers. To qualify for this preference, a local firm must certify that at least eighty percent of its labor is performed by Hawaii residents and that its office is large enough to handle all contract work. The law also clarifies that existing reciprocity rules apply to specific sections of the state's procurement statutes.
