HB 940 allocates state funds to support the rat lungworm disease research lab at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. This bill directly affects the university's lab and indirectly benefits Hawaii residents by advancing research on rat lungworm, a disease transmitted through contaminated food or water. The key provision is the appropriation of dedicated funding for the lab's operations, with the bill effective July 1, 3000 (note: likely a typo for 2030). The legislation focuses on providing concrete financial support for this specific research initiative, without altering broader public policy.
Clarifies that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who meet an intermediate care facility or nursing facility level of care shall not be denied residency in a certified community care foster family home solely because of their disability or enrollment in a specific Medicaid waiver program. Requires the Department of Health to provide technical assistance and training to community care foster family homes. (CD1)
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Medicaid
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People with Disabilities
Beginning 1/1/2026, requires health insurers and mutual benefit societies to provide coverage for traditional native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices offered through a Federally Qualified Health Center or a Native Hawaiian Health Care System.
Requires all health insurance policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2025, to provide optional coverage for standard fertility preservation services for persons undergoing medically necessary cancer-related treatments that may cause iatrogenic infertility. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)
Establish a medical education liaison position within the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine to support programs that utilize a team of medical specialists to support primary care providers and other health care professionals through mentorship and guidance. Appropriates funds.
HB 1974 requires the State Health Planning and Development Agency to create and publish a comprehensive state plan addressing hearing loss, using state funds that the bill appropriates. This bill directly affects the State Health Planning and Development Agency, mandating it to develop the plan within a specified timeframe. The key provision is the allocation of state funding to support the agency's work in researching and outlining strategies to address hearing loss across the state. The bill passed a committee recommendation with amendments in February 2026, moving it toward potential passage.
Requires the Department of Human Services to allow a full earned income disregard for individuals with disabilities who are between the ages of sixteen and sixty-four years when determining eligibility for Medicaid. Takes effect upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to establish a nutrition and metabolic health curriculum for medical students at the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Requires a report to the Legislature.
Requires any hospital with an operating room licensed by the Department of Health to adopt and implement policies to prevent exposure to surgical smoke.
Reestablishes the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii as an organized research unit within the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) that is administered by a director appointed by the University of Hawaii's board of regents with direct lines of reporting to the chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, provost of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and dean of JABSOM. Requires funds expended from the Research and Training Revolving Fund for JABSOM and the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii to be used for research and research-related purposes only. Repeals provisions that required the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii to be administratively affiliated with JABSOM.
