Healthcare

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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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1070: RELATING TO THERAPY SERVICES.

Expands the scopes of practice for occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech pathologists to allow those professionals working for or contracted by the Department of Education to diagnose medical conditions that can be treated with their respective services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands therapists' diagnostic authority within healthcare services, improving patient access to treatment without additional referrals.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 112: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to establish and operate a free statewide mental health warm line to provide mental health support in non-emergency situations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for mental health warm line, increasing public service funding under budget category.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health warm line via DOH appropriation, directly expanding non-emergency mental health access and support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1754: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts food and groceries from the general excise tax. Expands the general excise tax exemption implemented in 2024 for certain medical and dental services to include all medical and dental services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts food, groceries, and medical/dental services from excise tax, providing direct tax relief to lower-income households.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts all medical/dental services from excise tax, reducing costs and improving access to healthcare services per the bill's expansion of tax exemptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2242: RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

SB 2242 enacts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, authorizing the Governor to join this multi-state agreement. It directly affects licensed psychologists who wish to practice across state lines in participating jurisdictions. The key provision establishes standardized licensing rules and professional standards, allowing psychologists to provide services in other compact states without obtaining separate licenses. This reduces administrative barriers for practitioners and expands access to mental health services in participating states. The bill does not change existing state licensing laws but enables participation in the interstate compact.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill standardizes licensing for psychologists across states, reducing barriers and expanding access to mental health services - directly advancing healthcare access per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2287: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to contract with community-based organizations to provide preventive and early intervention mental health services to adolescents within the community. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds for adolescent mental health prevention and early intervention services via community organizations, directly funding healthcare access and strengthening mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

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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