Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

SB 2861: RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE.

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, to develop a comprehensive plan by 6/30/2027 for the establishment of a Kakou Pilot Program to support families and children in need. Requires the Office to submit preliminary and final reports to the Legislature on the plan and identify an administering agency or agencies for the pilot program. Beginning 7/1/2028, authorizes the Department of Human Services to expend Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program funds for the purposes of the Kakou Pilot Program. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands eligibility for $50 wellness benefit to non-Medicaid families, increasing healthcare access and support for child wellness services.95% confidence

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2935: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

SB 2935 exempts sales of feminine hygiene products from the general excise tax, meaning manufacturers and retailers selling these items will not pay this tax on the income from those sales. The exemption directly affects businesses that sell products like tampons, pads, and menstrual cups. The bill takes effect on January 30, 2050, and would remove a tax burden currently applied to these essential health products. This change is a specific policy adjustment to the tax code, not a broader health or funding measure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts SNAP-eligible groceries, feminine products, diapers, and medical supplies from tax, reducing burden on low-income households using essential programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts nonprescription drugs, medical supplies, and feminine hygiene products from excise tax, reducing costs for essential healthcare items and improving access to covered services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1246: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Directs the Department of Health to purchase and store a 1 year supply of mifepristone by working with 1 or more pharmacies in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds to stockpile mifepristone for reproductive health care, directly advancing medication access under healthcare services.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1579: RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Mandates reimbursement for services provided by participating registered pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice by private and public health plans in the State after 7/1/2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance reimbursement for pharmacists' services, expanding patient access to care and strengthening coverage under health plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3274: RELATING TO COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS.

Establishes the Community Behavioral Health Clinic Certifying Office to certify community behavioral health clinics and provide technical assistance for clinics seeking certification. Establishes the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Oversight Board. Establishes the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Special Fund. Amends the composition of the Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances and State Council on Mental Health to include a member from the Community Behavioral Health Clinic Certifying Office. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes certification office, oversight board, and special fund to support community behavioral health clinics and mental health services per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 725: RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to increase the funding of certain Medicaid home and community-based services, including adult day programs and residential services offered in community care foster family homes and expanded adult residential care homes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid home/community-based services funding, directly advancing healthcare access and coverage for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1450: RELATING TO AN INTENSIVE MOBILE TEAM PILOT PROGRAM FOR HOUSELESS INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS BRAIN DISORDERS.

Establishes a three-year Intensive Mobile Team Pilot Program in the Department of Health to provide intensive mobile treatment-type services, including "street psychiatry", to chronically houseless individuals suffering from serious brain disorders, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Requires the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to submit reports to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes funded mobile mental health program for houseless individuals with serious brain disorders, directly supporting mental health services under DOH with appropriations and reports.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2208: RELATING TO PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish or select and contract with a third-party administrator to serve as the State Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) who shall be responsible for administering all pharmacy benefits for medicaid beneficiaries enrolled with medicaid managed care organization. Requires medicaid managed care organizations to contract with and utilize the State PBM. Establishes requirements to procure the State PBM in addition to the requirements under state law governing purchases of health and human services. Establishes requirements and prohibitions for the contract to be used by the DHS when contracting with the state PBM. Requires the DHS to establish a single-preferred drug list to be used by the State PBM. Requires the DHS to consult with the Med-QUEST Healthcare Advisory Committee on the development, implementation, and oversight of the State PBM program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state PBM for Medicaid pharmacy benefits, standardizing administration to improve coverage management without restricting access or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3303: RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes general excise tax on sports wagering operators to fund Problem Gambling Prevention Special Fund, creating new revenue stream for state programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund under DOH, directly funding mental health services related to gambling.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1996: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts from the sale of hearing aids received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for necessary medical devices, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aid sales from tax, reducing costs and improving access to a healthcare service (hearing aids) for patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

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