Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 1648: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Authorizes health care providers to dispense nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and nonlegend drugs for workers' compensation patients, under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits nonprescription/OTC drugs for workers' comp patients, restricting treatment options and weakening benefit scope under workers' compensation framework.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 2164: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

HB 2164 defines "compounded prescription drugs" specifically for workers' compensation claims. This bill directly affects injured workers seeking medical coverage and insurers processing those claims. It establishes a clear legal definition to determine which custom-mixed medications qualify for coverage under workers' compensation law. This clarification aims to reduce disputes over medication eligibility in injury claims. The bill does not change existing coverage rules but provides a precise standard for applying them.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies coverage for compounded prescription drugs in workers' comp, reducing disputes and supporting access to necessary medications for injured workers under healthcare coverage.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies medication coverage under workers' comp, reducing disputes for injured workers. Ensures access to necessary medical treatments without changing existing benefit rules.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 2367: RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS.

Requires hourly rate or salary ranges to be disclosed on job listings for full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal employees. Removes the exemption for employers having fewer than fifty employees. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates salary transparency in job listings for all employers, advancing worker rights by providing pay information upfront and removing small business exemptions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1697: RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

HB 1697 exempts natural hair braiders from state licensing requirements when operating under specific conditions, directly affecting individuals who provide natural hair braiding services. The bill removes a barrier for braiders who meet defined criteria, such as operating in non-commercial settings or adhering to safety standards. This policy change simplifies access to the profession without requiring a state-issued license for qualifying practitioners. The bill is currently in early stages, having been prefiled and introduced in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves licensing barrier for natural hair braiders, lowering entry barriers to employment in this profession.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2360: RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

By 1/1/2029, 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 1/1/2030, requires the Department to begin receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program. Excludes paid family and medical leave benefits from income tax. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes payroll tax funding for family leave program and excludes benefits from income tax, providing tax relief while funding a new public program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state-funded medical leave insurance program, expanding coverage for healthcare-related absences under medical leave provisions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates mandatory paid family leave program with employee protections, expanding worker benefits and rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1851: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an apprenticeship program income tax credit for certain qualified costs incurred by a taxpayer for a qualified apprenticeship program. Sunsets 12/31/2036. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax credit for apprenticeship programs, providing targeted tax relief to encourage workforce development and economic growth within state fiscal framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentTax credit incentivizes apprenticeship programs, advancing workforce development and employment opportunities, aligning with Labor & Employment support indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 815: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires the health benefits plan or plans established by the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund board to meet or exceed the requirements of the Prepaid Health Care Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health plans to meet/exceed Prepaid Health Care Act standards, strengthening coverage requirements and patient protections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employer-union health plans to meet/exceed Prepaid Health Care Act standards, strengthening worker benefits under labor-related trust funds.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1859: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Workforce Development Council to recommend to the Governor, a comprehensive Statewide Workforce Strategy to inclusion in the State Unified Plan and be responsible for facilitating the alignment of workforce development efforts and programs conducted by state departments and agencies to achieve the State Unified Plan and the Comprehensive Statewide Workforce Strategy. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates comprehensive workforce strategy to align state programs, enhancing employment opportunities and workforce standards per bill's core purpose.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1967: RELATING TO PERMITTING.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds permitting workforce pipeline via UH and community colleges, supporting higher education partnerships and workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates salary/benefits coordination for permitting workforce pipeline, directly addressing employment standards and funding through appropriations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1660: RELATING TO COUNTY LABOR STANDARDS.

Authorizes the counties to require contractors to disclose information regarding their employees' wages, benefits, hours, and employment status and deny, revoke, or suspend a building permit application for violating laws relating to wages, benefits, hours, and employment status, under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates contractor wage/benefit disclosure and permit penalties for violations, enforcing labor standards to protect workers' rights and compliance with employment laws.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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