Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

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

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 62: RELATING TO HEALTHCARE FACILITY NURSE STAFFING.

HB 62 sets minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for hospitals and long-term care homes, requiring specific staffing levels based on patient acuity. It directly affects healthcare facilities by mandating these ratios and requires the Department of Health to conduct compliance audits. The bill's key provision is establishing enforceable staffing standards, with audits ensuring facilities meet the required nurse-to-patient ratios. This legislation aims to standardize staffing levels without specifying penalties or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios and compliance audits to improve patient safety and care standards in healthcare facilities, directly strengthening staffing requirements.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnforces minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, directly improving workplace safety for nurses and protecting their rights through mandatory compliance audits by the Department of Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Long-Term Care

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2159: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

HB 2159 funds health care workforce development programs at the University of Hawaii. It appropriates state funds to establish new positions within the university focused on training and supporting health care workers. This bill directly affects the University of Hawaii's ability to expand its health care workforce initiatives. The key provision is the allocation of dedicated funding to create these new roles, aiming to strengthen Hawaii's health care workforce pipeline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds health care workforce development at UH, creating training positions to strengthen Hawaii's healthcare pipeline through dedicated state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds health care workforce training programs, strengthening Hawaii's employment pipeline and supporting worker development within health care sector.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1242: RELATING TO NURSES.

Requires and appropriates moneys for the establishment of a 5-year nurse recertification pilot program to be administered by the Department of Health. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Health to award scholarships to eligible nursing students who agree to teach nursing in Hawaii after graduating.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nurse recertification pilot and nursing student scholarships, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and access to nursing services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1706: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid reimbursement for mental health services, increasing access to covered care under Medicaid for recipients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Mental Health

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2089: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Specifies that implementation is contingent upon and only to the extent approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid reimbursement for mental health services provided by qualified centers, increasing access and funding for mental health care under Medicaid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 897: RELATING TO THE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT.

Authorizes the Governor to enter the State into a multistate Nurse Licensure Compact that will allow a nurse who is licensed by a home state to practice under a multistate licensure privilege in each party state. Beginning 7/1/20 , requires each person who holds a multistate nurse license issued by another state and is employed by a health care facility to complete annual demographic data surveys. Authorizes the State Board of Nursing to charge different fees for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold a multistate license issued by the State. Provides that the Nurse Licensure Compact shall become effective and binding in the State two years after the Act takes effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state nurse practice under compact, improving healthcare access and provider mobility without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1244: RELATING TO LABOR STANDARDS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

Establishes certain minimum registered nurse-to-patient staffing requirements for hospitals. No later than 9/1/2025, requires hospitals to create hospital registered nurse staffing committees. Beginning 7/1/2026, requires hospitals to implement registered nurse staffing plans. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mandatory nurse staffing ratios and committees, funds implementation, directly strengthening hospital care quality and patient safety in healthcare delivery.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and staffing plans to improve workplace safety for nurses, directly advancing labor standards in healthcare employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Labor Standards

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1626: RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.

SB 1626 allocates state funds to the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program, helping healthcare professionals repay student loans. It directly affects licensed healthcare workers, particularly those serving in underserved areas or specific roles like nurses, doctors, or mental health providers. The bill’s key mechanism is providing financial support to reduce graduates' education debt, making it easier for them to enter or remain in the healthcare workforce. This is a funding measure, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds to healthcare loan repayment program, increasing government spending on workforce development and public service funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds to repay healthcare professionals' student loans, directly supporting workforce retention in underserved areas and reducing debt barriers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds healthcare professionals' student loan repayment, reducing debt barriers to enter/remain in workforce, directly supporting labor retention in critical sectors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 2409: RELATING TO THE HEALTHCARE EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.

Requires a participant in the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program to remain and work in the State for a certain number of years based on the amount of financial assistance received.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill incentivizes healthcare professionals to remain in-state via loan repayment, strengthening workforce retention and access to care through mandatory service requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track