Amends the Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit to remove language limiting access only to those practicing in primary care, to add licensed dietitians, physician assistants, and social workers as eligible preceptors and students, and to include residency and followship programs. Adds the Director of Health and a representative of residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
SB 3134 updates Hawaii's emergency medical services (EMS) laws to align with current best practices and standards. It directly affects EMS providers, ambulance services, and emergency care systems across the state by modernizing outdated regulatory requirements. The bill focuses on revising statutes to reflect contemporary emergency medical care protocols without specifying new funding or personnel mandates. Currently pending a public hearing before the Health and Human Services committee on February 6, 2026.
Allows applicants or primary caregivers to make a one-time purchase of medical cannabis after the submission of the applicant's certification form while waiting for confirmation of registration from the Department of Health. Requires the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation to facilitate the temporary authorization. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)
Establishes a three-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program to be administered by the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to subsidize the cost of certain health insurance deductibles for eligible individuals. Authorizes the Department to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program; provided that the Department shall allow the operator to access state-backed reinsurance or risk stabilization support for the operation of the Pilot Program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace existing chapters related to advance health care directives and advance mental health care directives. Requires the Attorney General to convene a working group. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/30/2050. Implementation effective 7/1/20209. (SD2)
SB 3232 creates a special fund within the Department of Education to manage Medicaid reimbursements received for school meals. This bill does not change who receives meals or the meal program itself, but instead establishes a dedicated account for handling existing Medicaid reimbursement funds. The key mechanism is redirecting these reimbursements into the new special fund, streamlining how the state tracks and uses this specific revenue source. The bill focuses solely on administrative fund management, not on expanding or altering school meal eligibility or services.
SB 3192 allows state authorities to temporarily waive certain healthcare worker licensure requirements during declared emergencies, directly affecting medical professionals needing to practice across jurisdictions. The bill enables quicker deployment of licensed healthcare workers during crises like natural disasters or public health events by removing standard licensing barriers. It requires the state to submit an annual report to the legislature detailing how the waivers were used and their impact. This policy change aims to improve emergency response capacity without altering permanent licensure standards.
Beginning 1/1/2027, authorizes the Governor to enter the PA Licensure Compact to create a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing authority of the Hawaii Medical Board and provides a streamlined process that allows a PA to become licensed in multiple states, thereby enhancing the portability of a PA license and ensuring the safety of patients. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Authorizes dispensaries to sell viable cannabis seeds to qualifying patients or their primary caregivers; provided that not more than 10 seeds per month may be purchased by, or on behalf of, the qualifying patient. Repeals existing statutory language that authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to: (1) inspect a qualifying medical cannabis patient's medical records held by the health provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient; and (2) suspend or revoke a health provider's ability to issue written certification for medical cannabis if the provider refuses the foregoing inspection, or if the medical records do not comply with the medical use of cannabis law. Requires the Department of Health to adopt any necessary rules. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)
Amends section 353-64, HRS, to include participation in correctional programs for parole eligibility: (1) treatment (substance abuse, mental health, sex offender); (2) work furlough as part of vocational education; and (3) other programs designed to assist the committed person with successful reintegration back into the community; all of which are in the scope of programs determined by Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Receiving and Diagnostic (RAD) assessments and recommended for parole eligibility. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)