Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 76: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A COMPLEX NEEDS PATIENT WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS, SERVICES, AND FUNDING FOR COMPLEX NEEDS PATIENTS WHO HAVE MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT BUT NOT SEVERE DIAGNOSES OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, OR CHRONIC PHYSICAL ILLNESS CONDITIONS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Health to form a working group to study the needs, services, and funding for patients with multiple chronic conditions that are significant but not severe, including co-occurring substance use, mental health, and physical illnesses. The proposed working group would include representatives from various health agencies and service providers to examine how integrated care models can better serve this population, which currently faces fragmented treatment and high healthcare costs. The group is tasked with evaluating specific service options such as residential treatment facilities, medication-assisted treatment, mental health care, primary health services, and support for housing and employment. The Department of Health must submit a report with findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests formation of working group to address needs, services, and funding for complex needs patients, indicating intent to improve healthcare access and services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 119: REQUESTING THE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to conduct a study compiling recommended safe patient staffing ratios for various hospital units and healthcare settings. The study will use existing state bills as a framework and incorporate guidelines from major professional nursing organizations, including those specializing in critical care, emergency, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing. The Center for Nursing is asked to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature and Department of Health by early 2027, with the goal of providing data to help healthcare facilities implement safer staffing levels.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests study on safe patient staffing ratios to improve healthcare quality and patient safety, aligning with support indicators for protecting patient rights and improving healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to establish safe patient staffing ratios, which directly improves workplace safety and protects nursing staff from burnout and injury risks.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 60: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO LEAD THE STATEWIDE COORDINATION OF SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Health to take the lead in coordinating state-wide support and services for people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. The resolution directs the department to use existing resources to raise public awareness, integrate screening into health and social services, and train professionals on identifying and managing these conditions. It also calls for collaboration with other state agencies like the Department of Human Services and the Department of Education, along with improved data collection to track outcomes. Finally, the Department of Health is requested to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs state health department to coordinate services, raise awareness, integrate screening, and train professionals for FASD patients, strengthening healthcare support.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 40: REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A WATER FLUORIDATION WORKING GROUP.

This Senate resolution requests the Hawaii Director of Health to form a Water Fluoridation Working Group to study adding fluoride to public drinking water. The group would include representatives from the state health department and water supply agencies across all four counties to evaluate best practices and potential barriers to implementation. Members would submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, with the committee scheduled to dissolve by June 2027. The resolution is based on concerns about oral health access and cites federal guidance supporting water fluoridation as a cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes working group to study water fluoridation, a public health measure that strengthens preventive healthcare and dental health access.75% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SCR 150: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO OBTAIN A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE EXEMPTION FROM THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR REGISTERED MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS AND REGISTRATION WAIVERS FOR STATE-LICENSED DISPENSARIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Governor to request a federal exemption from the Drug Enforcement Administration for Hawaii's registered medical cannabis patients and to seek registration waivers for state-licensed dispensaries. The bill aims to resolve the conflict between Hawaii's state medical cannabis program and federal law, which currently classifies cannabis as an illegal Schedule I substance. By pursuing these exemptions and waivers, the resolution seeks to protect patients from federal prosecution and allow dispensaries to operate with full banking and tax compliance. It also directs the Department of Health to report progress to the Legislature and sends copies of the resolution to federal officials and state agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks federal exemptions to protect medical cannabis patients from federal prosecution, aligning with criminal justice reform and civil rights protection.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks federal exemptions to protect medical cannabis patients and dispensaries, improving patient access to healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 132: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA TO ADOPT ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING AS A PRIMARY STRATEGY TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STATEWIDE.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to study how mental health-related absences affect student attendance and well-being. The study will examine how often students miss school due to mental health concerns, review policies in other states that allow such absences, and evaluate whether recognizing these absences as excused could improve student outcomes. The Department of Education must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026. This bill does not change current attendance policies but instead requests data collection and analysis to inform potential future policy changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to study mental health absences to improve student well-being and attendance, supporting student welfare and educational access.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes mental health awareness by studying mental health-related absences, potentially improving student well-being and supporting mental health services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 28: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS BOTH SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM AND FOR APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS SERVICES.

This bill requests the state Auditor to evaluate the social and financial impacts of a proposed law that would expand health insurance coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment services. The measure specifically targets the removal of current restrictions that limit coverage to individuals under 14 years old and cap applied behavioral analysis benefits at $25,000 annually. By requiring an assessment before the proposed changes take effect, the bill ensures lawmakers receive data on how expanding coverage would affect healthcare costs and access for adolescents and adults with autism. The report must be completed and submitted to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to expand autism health insurance coverage by removing age and benefit caps, strengthening access to essential healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SCR 30: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF MANDATING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BRIEF COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS FIFTY YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor of Hawaii to assess the social and financial impacts of mandating health insurance coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals aged 50 and older. The resolution is tied to House Bill 1702, which proposes requiring insurers to cover these assessments to help detect early signs of cognitive decline and dementia. The Auditor must prepare a report analyzing potential costs, benefits, and effects on different populations, particularly groups at higher risk such as Native Hawaiians and individuals with Down syndrome. The report must be submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the start of the 2027 legislative session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to assess and potentially mandate health insurance coverage for cognitive assessments, expanding access to early detection services for older adults.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 27: URGING MAUI HEALTH SYSTEM TO COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO ESTABLISH A FULL-TIME MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

This Senate concurrent resolution urges Maui Health to work with partners to create a full-time medical residency program on Maui to address a critical shortage of physicians, which worsened after the 2023 wildfires. The bill specifically asks Maui Health to use available federal funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program and seek additional resources to establish the program in family medicine and internal medicine. It requires Maui Health to include local health centers in the planning process and submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027. The resolution is directed at healthcare administrators and stakeholders rather than imposing new laws or penalties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges establishment of medical residency program to address physician shortage, improve access, and utilize federal funding for healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 79: ENCOURAGING THE STATE TO EXAMINE REQUIRING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS IN ALL STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS AND PURSUE EXISTING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAMS.

This Senate Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to consider mandating automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. AEDs are portable devices that can restore normal heart rhythm during cardiac arrest, with survival rates dropping significantly for each minute without treatment. The resolution also highlights the need for AED training programs, noting that while some organizations offer such education, the state currently lacks legislatively mandated training initiatives. The bill directs the Director of Health and the Comptroller to receive copies of this resolution for further review and action.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill encourages state to mandate AEDs in buildings and pursue AED training programs, improving emergency cardiac care access and public health safety.90% confidence

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