Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 1574: RELATING TO THE HEALTHCARE EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.

Formally codifies the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. Requires a participant in the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program who receives a new award on or after July 1, 2027, to remain and work in the State for a certain number of years based on the amount of financial assistance received. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill incentivizes healthcare professionals to remain in-state via loan repayment tied to service duration, strengthening workforce retention and access to care.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 2261: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires Huli Au Ola to conduct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention to be located on and serve the island of Molokai. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds for Huli Au Ola to study physician/dentist retention on Molokai, directly addressing healthcare workforce access to strengthen services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 709: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Requires the Department of Health to approve the content of such training. Clarifies the scope of treatment permitted under assisted community treatment orders. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of requests for a court order to provide treatment over a patient's objection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DOH to track mental health crisis data and coordinate assisted treatment, strengthening mental health service infrastructure and patient access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2804: RELATING TO COMMERCE.

SB 2804 bars companies from acquiring or holding stocks or investments that reduce access to healthcare services or raise insurance premiums. It directly affects corporations and investment entities making such financial decisions. The key provision prohibits these specific stock holdings if they demonstrably harm healthcare affordability or availability. The bill aims to prevent corporate investment practices that negatively impact patients and insurance costs, without specifying enforcement details.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBars corporate investments harming healthcare access/affordability, directly advancing patient access and reducing insurance costs per bill's core provision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 84: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CREATE A PLAN THAT REMOVES CARCINOGENS FROM SCHOOL MEALS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to develop a plan for removing processed meats from school meals by 2032 or replacing them with healthier, minimally processed alternatives. The resolution directs the department to inventory current menus containing processed meats, establish a timeline for the transition, set nutritional standards for replacement options, and estimate associated costs and funding needs. It aims to improve student health by reducing exposure to carcinogens linked to processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats, which are currently served in some school programs. The Department of Education must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves student health through healthier school meals, enhancing educational environment and student well-being85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to improve student health by reducing exposure to carcinogens in school meals, aligning with public health and preventive healthcare goals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 107: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT ACADEMIC FLEXIBILITY AND EQUITY FOR STUDENTS WITH CHRONIC AND AUTOIMMUNE ILLNESSES.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that urges Hawaii's Department of Education to support academic flexibility for students with chronic and autoimmune illnesses. It directly affects students managing conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type I diabetes, particularly those from Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities who face higher rates of these illnesses. The resolution asks the Department of Education to encourage schools to provide flexible attendance and assignment deadlines during medically documented illness flare-ups, promote consistent implementation of existing accommodations under Section 504, and improve coordination for students who need to travel off-island for specialized medical care. The bill relies on the Department's existing authority to issue guidance rather than creating new funding requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill urges DOE to provide academic flexibility for students with chronic illnesses, expanding educational access and supporting student needs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates for academic flexibility for students with chronic/autoimmune illnesses, improving access to education while accommodating health needs, indirectly supporting healthcare management for affected populations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 6: AFFIRMING AND SUPPORTING THE REQUIREMENT THAT HOSPITALS PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY CARE TO PREGNANT PEOPLE, INCLUDING REPRODUCTIVE AND ABORTION SERVICES, WHEN SUCH CARE IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO STABILIZE A PATIENT UNDER THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ACTIVE LABOR ACT.

HCR 6 is a Hawaii legislative resolution affirming that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care - including abortion services when medically necessary - to stabilize pregnant patients under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). It addresses confusion caused by recent shifts in federal guidance about EMTALA's requirements, particularly following the 2025 rescission of federal affirmations supporting emergency abortion care. The resolution urges all Hawaii hospitals, including religiously affiliated ones, to uphold EMTALA's standards without delay or denial of care. It does not create new law but reinforces Hawaii's commitment to ensuring pregnant patients receive timely emergency treatment as required by federal statute.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospitals provide emergency reproductive care under EMTALA, protecting patient access to life-saving services during medical emergencies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 73: REQUESTING THE PLANNING OR PLANNING AND PERMITTING DEPARTMENT OF EACH COUNTY TO ESTABLISH KUPUNA-FRIENDLY BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR PARKING ACCESSIBILITY AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES OPERATING HOURS.

This bill is a House Resolution that asks county planning departments in Hawaii to create building permit requirements focused on accessibility for older adults, known as kupuna. It would require private businesses and shopping centers to offer special hours for kupuna to enter their premises and increase the number of parking spaces designated for both disabled and non-disabled older adults. The resolution does not mandate these changes directly but formally requests counties to consider them when updating their planning regulations. The measure aims to improve community access for an aging population by addressing parking availability and business operating hours.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves accessibility for older adults in healthcare settings by requiring parking accommodations and special business hours, enhancing patient access to services.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes accessibility and parking for older adults, enhancing housing quality and inclusivity for kupuna75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill requests establishment of kupuna-friendly parking accessibility and business hours, enhancing transportation accessibility for older adults75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 166: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING THE STORAGE AND ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL ANTIHISTAMINES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create clear policies for storing and administering oral antihistamines in public schools. It would allow trained school staff to give these allergy medications to students who have a doctor-approved plan and written parental consent. The resolution outlines requirements for staff training, standardized consent forms, and secure storage procedures to ensure safe medication management. The Department of Education is asked to report its actions to the legislature within 20 days before the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves student health safety and expands access to necessary medical care in schools, supporting student well-being and educational environment.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes clear policies for safe medication administration in schools, improving student access to necessary allergy treatments and protecting patient health.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 99: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT ACADEMIC FLEXIBILITY AND EQUITY FOR STUDENTS WITH CHRONIC AND AUTOIMMUNE ILLNESSES.

This House Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education to support academic flexibility and equity for students with chronic and autoimmune illnesses, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type I diabetes. The resolution asks the department to encourage schools to provide flexible attendance and assignment deadlines during medically documented illness flare-ups, promote consistent implementation of existing accommodations like Section 504 plans, and coordinate with families to maintain learning continuity during extended medical absences. It specifically highlights the needs of students on neighbor islands who face additional barriers due to limited access to medical specialists and the need for off-island travel. The measure does not create new laws or funding but instead calls for the department to use its existing authority to guide schools in providing equitable educational support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes academic flexibility and equity for students with chronic illnesses, enhancing educational access and accommodations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes academic accommodations for students with chronic illnesses, supporting their healthcare needs through educational flexibility and protection of patient rights.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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