Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 18: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A HOSPICE WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE TRENDS AND REGULATIONS IN THE HOSPICE INDUSTRY.

HCR 18 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Health to form a Hospice Working Group to examine trends and regulations in the hospice industry. The group, composed of health officials and five established Hawaii hospices (representing each major county), will study national and local hospice trends, review existing regulations, and recommend improvements to ensure quality care as Hawaii's aging population grows. This resolution directly affects Hawaii's 13 hospice providers and the state's future healthcare planning for seniors, with a report due to the Legislature by early 2027. It does not change current laws but seeks data to inform potential future policy adjustments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates hospice working group to review regulations and recommend quality improvements for aging population, strengthening hospice care standards and oversight.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 30, 2026

GM 707: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kaua'i Service Area Board, Gubernatorial Nominee, KANWARDEEP KALEKA, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

Governor Josh Green has nominated Kanwardeep Kaleka for a position on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kaua'i Service Area Board, with a term ending June 30, 2030. This nomination requires confirmation by the Hawaii State Senate before Kaleka can assume the role. The board serves Kaua'i residents by overseeing mental health and substance abuse services in the region. The process follows Hawaii's constitutional requirement for gubernatorial nominations of board members to be confirmed by the Senate.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareConfirms mental health board member, enabling oversight of Kaua'i mental health services per bill's purpose.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SCR 24: SUPPORTING THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO JOIN THE WEST COAST HEALTH ALLIANCE TO GUIDE PUBLIC HEALTH DECISIONS.

This is a symbolic concurrent resolution (SCR 24), not a law. It expresses the Hawaii State Senate's support for the Governor joining the West Coast Health Alliance - a regional collaboration with California, Oregon, and Washington. The resolution affirms Hawaii's commitment to using science-based public health strategies and sharing data with partner states to address challenges like workforce shortages and emerging health threats. It does not create new policies or directly affect residents, as it serves only to endorse the Governor's decision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSymbolic resolution affirms commitment to science-based public health collaboration via West Coast Health Alliance, promoting data sharing and regional strategy alignment without direct policy changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 21: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION'S EAST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A RURAL HEALTH CLINIC OR COMPARABLE RURAL HEALTH ACCESS POINT TO SERVE THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 21) requests the Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation's East Hawai'i Regional Health Care System to study establishing a rural health clinic or similar access point in Volcano, Hawaii. The resolution directly affects Volcano residents and visitors, who currently lack nearby primary care, emergency stabilization, and consistent medical services due to geographic isolation and hazards. The study must examine potential sites, operational models (like part-time care or telehealth), staffing, costs, partnerships with local groups, and benefits for emergency response and chronic care. The East Hawai'i Region must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests feasibility study for rural health clinic in Volcano to address lack of primary care/emergency services, directly improving healthcare access in underserved community95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Telehealth

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 18: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION'S EAST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A RURAL HEALTH CLINIC OR COMPARABLE RURAL HEALTH ACCESS POINT TO SERVE THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY.

This Senate Resolution (SR 18) requests the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation's East Hawaiʻi Regional Health Care System to study establishing a rural health clinic in Volcano, Hawaiʻi. It directly affects Volcano residents - who currently lack nearby primary care, emergency services, and face geographic barriers - and visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The study must examine potential clinic sites, operational models (like part-time care or mobile clinics), costs, staffing, and partnerships with local groups. The resolution does not create new services but asks for a feasibility report to be submitted to the Legislature by late 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequests feasibility study to establish rural clinic addressing healthcare access gap for Volcano residents lacking primary care services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2025: RELATING TO JURY DUTY.

SB 2025 allows actively practicing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to claim exemption from serving on jury duty. This bill directly affects APRNs who are currently working in their specialty roles. The key provision removes the requirement for these nurses to fulfill jury service obligations, instead permitting them to formally request exemption. The change aims to address workforce needs by reducing scheduling conflicts for nurses providing critical healthcare services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts APRNs from jury duty to maintain healthcare workforce continuity, reducing scheduling conflicts for critical patient care services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts APRNs from jury duty to reduce scheduling conflicts, supporting workforce stability in critical healthcare roles by protecting employment continuity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1512: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale of flavored nicotine products and nicotine product flavor enhancers and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine free. Establishes penalties for violations. Authorizes the Department of Health to appoint, commission, or contract for services of inspectors. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits flavored nicotine products to protect public health, authorizes Department of Health enforcement, and appropriates funds for regulation, aligning with public health protection goals.95% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2115: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to issue supplemental contracts to community-based organizations to address increases in costs related to labor, insurance, utilities, rent, and gas. For any multi-year contracts entered into or renewed beginning in fiscal year 2027-2028, requires the Department of Human Services to issue a Request for Information to determine whether any existing contract remains fiscally sound and thereafter determine, with the consent of the contractor, whether a new request for proposals should be issued. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds to Department of Human Services for supplemental contracts addressing increased operational costs, directly supporting budget allocation for essential services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds to community-based organizations addressing rising costs (labor, insurance, etc.) to maintain human services, directly supporting healthcare access and program stability.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1380: RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD.

Authorizes the payment of allowances for TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Dental Program, and vision coverage to all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the Hawaii National Guard ordered to active duty for more than 30 days in the service of the State.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes TRICARE dental/vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard members, expanding health benefits for military personnel under active duty.90% confidence

Track

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2050: RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC.

Beginning 7/1/2028, allows chiropractic students enrolled in an accredited doctor of chiropractic program to engage in clinical training involving the practice of chiropractic as part of the completion of their degree, under certain conditions. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows chiropractic students to gain clinical experience under supervision, advancing healthcare workforce development and access to chiropractic services.85% confidence