Healthcare (Public Health) in Hawaii

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

GM 1324: Informing the Legislature that on July 9, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3132 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 222).

This bill requires all hospitals with emergency departments in Hawaii to report de-identified patient data to the state Department of Health for syndromic surveillance. The collected information, which includes chief complaints, diagnoses, and visit dates, will be used to automatically detect disease outbreaks and public health threats without revealing individual identities. By establishing a state-run reporting program, the legislation allows the Department of Health to customize data analysis for local needs and reduces reliance on a voluntary federal system. This change aims to improve the state's ability to respond quickly to health emergencies, including pandemics, natural disasters, and other public health concerns.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 4, 2026

GM 1185: Informing the Legislature that on June 4, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2314 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 085).

This bill updates Hawaii's emergency medical laws to create a modern, integrated system of care that addresses time-sensitive emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, and trauma. It directly affects emergency responders, hospitals, and patients by establishing statewide protocols and ensuring coordinated care across all islands. Key provisions redefine basic life support to allow for more advanced procedures like IV lines and defibrillation under specific supervision, while also mandating a minimum number of ground ambulance units per county. The legislation aims to improve patient outcomes and strengthen the state's ability to handle disasters and public health crises.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

GM 1208: Informing the Legislature that on June 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3137 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 108).

This bill reorganizes the Department of Health's legal authority to regulate food, drugs, and cosmetics by consolidating it into a single chapter of state law. The primary goal is to clarify the department's role in regulating both retail food safety and higher-volume food manufacturing to improve public health outcomes. It also establishes a new food safety consultative and education program to share information with handlers and creates a public monitoring system for reporting unsafe food practices. Additionally, the legislation provides specific exemptions for producers of hand-pounded poi selling directly to consumers and mandates priority processing for permit applications related to agricultural facilities on important agricultural lands.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 44: SUPPORTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S EFFORTS TO COORDINATE THE STOCKPILING OF A THREE-YEAR SUPPLY OF MIFEPRISTONE.

This Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Health to coordinate storing a three-year supply of mifepristone, a medication used in medical abortions. The bill directly affects the state's public health infrastructure and aims to ensure continued access to abortion care by maintaining a medication supply that could be affected by FDA policy changes or supply chain disruptions. It builds on the state's existing reproductive health protections and acknowledges that mifepristone has a five-year shelf life, making long-term stockpiling feasible. The resolution is non-binding and directs the Department of Health to determine the appropriate quantities needed for this three-year supply.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 171: URGING THE CONVENING OF A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGING THERAPIES TASK FORCE TO PREPARE THE STATE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF BREAKTHROUGH THERAPIES AND TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND CLINICAL TRIALS, RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS, AND TREATMENT CAPACITY IN THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health to create a Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force to prepare Hawaii for the potential integration of breakthrough mental health treatments like MDMA-assisted therapy and psilocybin-assisted therapy. The proposed task force would include representatives from state health agencies, universities, mental health professionals, and community members with lived experience to develop a statewide implementation plan. Key responsibilities include expanding clinical trial opportunities, creating training pathways for healthcare providers, and evaluating best practices from other states to ensure safe and equitable access. The resolution does not authorize funding or change laws but serves as a non-binding recommendation to establish a planning committee that will submit findings to the Legislature by 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 191: RECOGNIZING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION FROM INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE VEHICLES AND THE RISKS THAT TRAFFIC-RELATED AIR POLLUTION POSES TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT TO TRANSITION TO CLEANER TRANSPORTATION CHOICES.

This House Resolution acknowledges the public health risks posed by air pollution from internal combustion engine vehicles, particularly in communities near busy roadways and among vulnerable populations like children and older adults. It highlights how traffic-related pollutants can affect both outdoor and indoor air quality, potentially contributing to respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems. The resolution affirms the state's commitment to transitioning toward cleaner transportation options and directs copies of the document to key state officials to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Air Quality Recycling Public Health Electric Vehicles

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 100: RECOGNIZING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION FROM INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE VEHICLES AND THE RISKS THAT TRAFFIC-RELATED AIR POLLUTION POSES TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT TO TRANSITION TO CLEANER TRANSPORTATION CHOICES.

This Senate Resolution recognizes the public health risks posed by air pollution from internal combustion engine vehicles and highlights how traffic-related pollution disproportionately affects communities near major roadways, including children, older adults, and lower-income populations. The document affirms the state's commitment to transitioning toward cleaner transportation choices to improve air quality and protect public health. It does not create new laws or regulations but serves as a formal acknowledgment of these health concerns and environmental justice issues to inform future policy decisions. Copies of the resolution are sent to state officials responsible for transportation and energy policy.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Air Quality Environmental Justice Public Health Electric Vehicles

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 92: ENCOURAGING THE STATE TO EXAMINE REQUIRING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS IN ALL STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS AND PURSUE EXISTING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAMS.

This bill encourages the State of Hawaii to consider requiring automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. AEDs are portable devices that can treat cardiac arrest by analyzing heart rhythm and delivering electrical shocks to restore normal function. The resolution highlights that survival chances decrease significantly with each minute a victim remains in cardiac arrest, making access to these devices and training important for public health. It directs the Director of Health and Comptroller to review the state's current AED policies and consider implementing requirements for state facilities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 162: URGING THE CONVENING OF A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGING THERAPIES TASK FORCE TO PREPARE THE STATE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF BREAKTHROUGH THERAPIES AND TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND CLINICAL TRIALS, RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS, AND TREATMENT CAPACITY IN THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution urges the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health to create a Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force to prepare Hawaii for potential new mental health treatments like MDMA-assisted therapy and psilocybin-assisted therapy. The proposed task force would include representatives from the Department of Health, University of Hawaii, mental health professionals, legal experts, Native Hawaiian health organizations, and individuals with lived experience. The group is tasked with developing a statewide plan for clinical trials, workforce training, patient safety, and equitable access to these therapies once federal approval is granted. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2027. This resolution is a non-binding recommendation that does not change current laws but aims to guide future policy development.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HCR 201: RECOGNIZING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION FROM INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE VEHICLES AND THE RISKS THAT TRAFFIC-RELATED AIR POLLUTION POSES TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT TO TRANSITION TO CLEANER TRANSPORTATION CHOICES.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally acknowledges the health risks posed by air pollution from internal combustion engine vehicles to communities across Hawaii. It highlights how traffic-related pollution disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and lower-income communities living near major roadways. The resolution affirms the state's commitment to transitioning toward cleaner transportation options to improve public health and air quality. It does not create new laws or funding but serves to recognize these issues and direct copies to relevant state officials.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Air Quality Public Health Electric Vehicles

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