This bill authorizes the Hawaii Department of Health to issue standing orders that allow adults to self-refer for specific preventive health screenings without needing a doctor's individual prescription. The key provision permits patients aged 18 and older to access evidence-based services, such as mammograms, that have received top ratings from the United States Preventive Services Task Force. To maintain oversight, the law requires the Department of Health to annually review and update these services based on current medical guidelines. Additionally, the bill establishes a working group to advise the department on the implementation and management of these public health standing orders.
This bill transfers the management and operation of the Maui State Veterans Home from the Department of Defense to the Oahu Regional Health Care System or another state agency with a Maui presence. The law requires that by June 30, 2027, the home's physical assets, ground lease, and existing liabilities be fully absorbed by the receiving agency. Additionally, the bill amends state statutes to officially include the Maui facility within the Oahu Regional Health Care System while allowing for the creation of a separate Maui regional health care system.
This bill establishes a temporary working group within the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop a framework for peer support specialists in Hawaii. The group will include representatives from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of Law Enforcement, and the state judiciary. Its purpose is to create recommendations that enhance the role of peer support specialists in mental health and behavioral health care. The working group must submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature before the start of the 2025 regular session.
This bill officially designates the shaka hand gesture as the official gesture of the State of Hawaii. It defines the shaka as extending the thumb and pinky finger while curling the middle three fingers, and it authorizes the state foundation to create a public artwork celebrating the gesture's history. The legislation aims to preserve Hawaii's claim as the birthplace of the shaka and to promote the state's cultural brand globally.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on June 21, 2024, updates Hawaii's insurance regulations to align with national standards for financial oversight. It directly affects insurance companies and their ultimate controlling persons by requiring them to file annual enterprise risk reports and group capital calculations with state regulators. The legislation also clarifies definitions for key financial terms and establishes that certain minor financial transactions do not need to be disclosed on registration forms unless they are deemed material. These changes aim to improve the state's ability to monitor the financial stability of insurers without altering the core structure of the insurance industry.
This message from the Governor informs the Hawaii Legislature that he signed HB2395 into law on June 21, 2024. The bill amends state statutes to exempt Hawaii National Guard members from mandatory retirement system enrollment when they are ordered into active duty to provide services to the state during emergencies. While these members are exempt from enrollment based on that specific state service, the law clarifies that they can still receive credit for their military service toward retirement benefits and does not affect National Guard members who are regular state or county employees.
This bill establishes a pilot program to automatically remove certain arrest records from the state's criminal database without requiring individuals to apply or pay fees. The initiative specifically targets arrests made before January 11, 2020, for the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana in counties with populations between 200,000 and 500,000, provided the case did not end in a conviction. Administered by the Department of the Attorney General using existing resources, the project will run until October 1, 2025, and will report its findings to the legislature to inform future laws on expungement.
This bill, signed into law on June 21, 2024, requires public employers in Hawaii to provide a general orientation on employee benefits and rights within twenty calendar days of hiring new staff. The orientation must be conducted by the employee's specific jurisdiction, and if the employee is part of a union, the union representative may attend to share relevant information. Employers who fail to comply with these orientation requirements or violate other labor laws can face complaints filed with the Hawaii Labor Relations Board. Additionally, the bill adds a specific violation to the state's labor code for refusing to follow the new orientation rules. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill directs the Governor to inform the Hawaii Legislature that he signed HB1578 into law on June 21, 2024. The law amends state statutes to allow shipping container chassis registered in other states to obtain safety inspections and temporary registration in Hawaii. Specifically, these out-of-state chassis can receive a safety inspection decal and have their registration recognized for up to one year if they are used solely for transporting shipping containers. This change aims to facilitate the movement of freight equipment across state lines by aligning Hawaii's requirements with those of other jurisdictions.
This bill establishes a formal process for captive insurance companies in Hawaii to become "dormant" if they have never conducted insurance business or have ceased operations with no remaining liabilities. Under the new rules, these companies must maintain at least $25,000 in capital and surplus, submit annual financial reports, and pay a $300 renewal fee every five years to keep their dormant status. While dormant, the companies are exempt from conducting insurance business, paying specific taxes, and filing detailed audits or undergoing full regulatory examinations, though they must apply for approval to reactivate their licenses before resuming operations. The legislation also updates trade name registration requirements, mandating that insurers register their business names with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs before using them to sell or negotiate insurance.
This bill establishes maximum fees for motor vehicle towing and storage services in Hawaii, directly affecting towing companies and vehicle owners. It sets specific price caps for standard tows, dolly tows, mileage, storage, and special situations like overnight service or difficult hookups. Additionally, the law requires towing companies to notify vehicle owners of the vehicle's location within fifteen days and mandates that vehicles be released to owners without charge if they appear before the tow truck departs.
This bill updates the definition of "employee" under Hawaii's wage and hour laws to clarify which workers are excluded from certain protections. It directly affects employers by specifying that individuals earning at least $4,000 monthly, family members, agricultural workers in specific scenarios, and those in roles like companionship or executive positions are not covered by the state's minimum wage and overtime rules. The legislation also adjusts exemptions for seasonal youth camp staff and aligns certain federal labor standards with state regulations. Overall, the bill aims to refine the legal boundaries of who qualifies for wage and hour protections within the state.
