Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1123: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

Clarifies and updates the responsibilities of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to reflect the current mental health systems of care that address the mental health needs of children and adolescents in the State.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill updates Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division's responsibilities to modernize care systems, directly advancing mental health services for children per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2869: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Amends the existing prohibition on conversion therapy by prohibiting the practice on persons of all ages and the advertisement of such practice. Explicitly provides that talk therapy in the form of pure speech is exempt from the prohibition on conversion therapy. Takes effect upon the certification by the Attorney General that the Supreme Court of the United States has overturned the holding in Chiles v. Salazar, 116 F.4th 1178 (10th Cir. 2024).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans conversion therapy for all ages, protecting mental health patients from harmful practices while exempting legitimate talk therapy, advancing mental health care access and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3305: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as "Hawaii Care", to provide comprehensive health care benefits to all state residents and eventually replace all existing health care plans in the State. Designates the Hawaii Health Authority as the responsible agency for the comprehensive planning, implementation, and administration of Hawaii Care. Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop and submit a comprehensive implementation and administration plan to the legislature by a certain date. Establishes the Hawaii Care special fund. Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to adopt rules and submit reports to the Legislature. Requires the Governor to appoint members to the Hawaii Health Authority by 12/31/2026. Requires the Department of Human Services to apply for necessary federal waivers. Takes effect 180 days after the approval of the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan and necessary federal waivers. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates universal single-payer system 'Hawaii Care' replacing all existing plans, expanding coverage to all residents with dedicated funding via Hawaii Care Special Fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 695: RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

By 1/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2028, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates mandatory family medical leave insurance program expanding health coverage through payroll-funded benefits, directly advancing healthcare access and protections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates mandatory paid family leave program with employee protections, expanding worker benefits under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3306: RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Prohibits a financial risk-bearing entity from administering Medicaid services. Requires the Department of Human Services to contract with one or more administrative services organizations to perform non-risk administrative functions for the operation of the State's Medicaid program. Requires the Department to establish a Medicaid Care Coordination Program to contract with community-based programs to provide care coordination services. Requires physicians, other independent practitioners, hospitals, and other institutional providers to be paid or reimbursed directly by the State's medicaid agency. Requires the Department to establish regional health hubs in each county to serve as localized oversight bodies. Requires the Department to convene a Medicaid Stakeholder Advisory Group to support continuous improvement throughout the transition period. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriate funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid Care Coordination Program with community-based services, prohibiting risk-bearing entities to strengthen administration and improve patient access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 483: RELATING TO A RATE STUDY FOR HOME HEALTH SERVICES.

SB 483 appropriates state funds for Hawaii's Department of Human Services to conduct a rate study on Medicaid home health services. The study will examine reimbursement rates paid to home health providers serving Medicaid patients. This bill directly affects home health care agencies and Medicaid beneficiaries in Hawaii by funding an analysis of current payment structures. The measure does not change existing rates but seeks to inform future policy decisions through data collection. (Note: The bill is pending committee review as of February 2025.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds rate study to analyze Medicaid home health reimbursement, aiming to inform future policy improvements in provider payments and beneficiary access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2221: RELATING TO TERMINAL ILLNESSES.

Authorizes manufacturers of investigational drugs or biological products that are pending approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration to make the drugs or products available to terminally ill patients under certain conditions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to investigational drugs for terminally ill patients, improving patient access to care without restricting coverage.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 615: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Expands the protections established under Act 2, SLH 2023, to include gender-affirming health care services. Clarifies jurisdiction under the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act for cases involving children who obtain gender-affirming health care services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands protections for gender-affirming healthcare services, advancing patient access and rights under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2090: RELATING TO CHILD CUSTODY.

SB 2090 allows licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, expanding the pool of qualified professionals who can assess children's needs in custody cases. This change directly affects families involved in child custody disputes where mental health evaluations are required. The bill removes previous restrictions that limited this role to certain licensed professionals, enabling counselors with appropriate training to participate. It does not alter custody laws or standards but broadens who can conduct these evaluations. The measure passed a committee recommendation with four supporting votes in January 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health professional access in custody evaluations, directly supporting mental health services by removing restrictions on licensed counselors.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 870: RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Directs the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the State from birth to age 5 years without regard to household income. Appropriates moneys.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility for children 0-5 without income limits, appropriates funds to increase healthcare access for vulnerable populations95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid

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