Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2115: RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Amends the collective bargaining negotiation procedure on the repricing of classes within a bargaining unit for public employees. Establishes an impasse procedure to be applied when an employer fails to initiate the negotiation or the parties fail to reach an agreement within 90 days. Repeals existing law that requires a different impasse procedure to apply in those situations. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends collective bargaining procedures to establish clearer impasse resolution, strengthening public employees' negotiation rights and protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2088: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE PLANS FOR WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, to establish and implement a five-year voluntary Nontraditional Workforce Portable Health Care Benefit Plan Pilot Program that offers high deductible health plans or catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers who are ineligible for health benefits provided by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund or prepaid health care plans under the Prepaid Health Care Act. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates voluntary pilot program to provide high deductible/catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers excluded from existing coverage, expanding access to health benefits.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates voluntary portable health benefits pilot for nontraditional workers ineligible for existing plans, expanding access to health care benefits as part of employment standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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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 1655: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

HB 1655 allows public employers (like city or state agencies) and union representatives to negotiate specific retirement benefits for public employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. The bill removes barriers that previously prevented these parties from discussing certain retirement benefits during contract talks. It directly affects public employees in unionized roles and their employers, focusing on retirement plan terms rather than other benefits. The bill is currently pending committee review and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves barriers to negotiating retirement benefits in collective bargaining, strengthening union negotiation power on employee benefits as specified in the bill's purpose.95% 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 1522: RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION.

HB 1522 extends the time period to file a discrimination complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission from the current limit to one year. This change directly affects individuals who experience discrimination in Hawaii, giving them more time to seek redress through the Commission. The bill’s key provision modifies the statute of limitations for filing such complaints, allowing a full year from the alleged discriminatory act to submit a formal complaint. The bill is currently pending before the House Judiciary Committee for further review.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends statute of limitations for discrimination complaints, strengthening worker protections under Labor & Employment by providing more time to seek redress.90% 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 2533: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to provide additional benefits to: (1) teachers with special assignments where their duties and responsibilities are greater than their ordinary duties and responsibilities; (2) teachers in Hawaiian language medium education whose responsibilities are greater or unique and require additional language skills; and (3) teachers at special needs schools. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly appropriates funds for additional teacher benefits in specialized roles, directly supporting educators and increasing school resources per education topic definition.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides additional benefits and funding for specific teachers, advancing worker compensation within education sector95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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