Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2751: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

SB 2751 defines "compounded prescription drugs" for workers' compensation claims, clarifying which custom-mixed medications qualify for coverage. This directly affects injured workers seeking medical benefits and employers/insurers processing claims involving such medications. The bill establishes a clear legal definition to prevent disputes over whether specific custom-mixed drugs are covered under workers' compensation law. It does not create new benefits or costs but ensures consistent application of existing coverage rules for these medications.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies coverage for compounded drugs in workers' comp, preventing disputes over existing benefits and ensuring injured workers access medical care without added cost.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2231: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Amends the State Internship and Workforce Development Program for the public sector by expanding the program to the Legislative and Judicial branches; limiting the internships to full-time placements of ten to eleven months; establishing eligibility criteria, application requirements, and selection preferences; and requiring the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to collaborate with coordinating agencies to promote the program and recruit eligible applicants. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workforce development program with DLIR collaboration, sets structured internships, and appropriates funds to enhance job training opportunities for public sector workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2158: RELATING TO VETERINARIANS.

Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Special Fund. Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program to support qualified veterinarians committed to or currently working in veterinary medicine in the State. Authorizes the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine to enter into agreements, including memoranda of understanding, with the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, and accredited out-of-state schools to increase the availability of accredited veterinary programs and licensure opportunities to residents of the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides loan repayment and scholarships for veterinarians, supporting workforce development in a specific profession within labor/employment context.70% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2968: RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT.

Requires hotelkeepers to supply and provide annual training on the proper use and limitations of a panic button to certain workers no later than 1/1/2027. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates hotelkeepers to provide panic button safety training to hospitality workers, strengthening workplace safety protections per Labor & Employment topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 3282: RELATING TO THE WORKFORCE PELL GRANT PROGRAM.

Establishes a statewide framework for the implementation of the federal Workforce Pell Grant Program to provide financial aid for certain short-term workforce education and training programs. Establishes a Workforce Pell Grant Program Approval Committee within the Workforce Development Council. Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes state framework for federal workforce training grants, directly advancing job skills development under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2872: RELATING TO RETIRED EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

Repeals the requirement that retirants rehired as teachers or administrators serve in a teacher shortage area identified by the Department of Education. Requires retirants rehired after 6/30/2026 as teachers or administrators in Department or charter schools to be paid the entry level salary for the teacher or administrator position as negotiated in the collective bargaining unit contract. Prohibits retirants rehired after 6/30/2026 from receiving additional employment benefits. Requires the DOE to adopt rules. (SD1)

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationReduces benefits for rehired retirees by capping pay at entry level and prohibiting additional benefits, directly limiting teacher compensation.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRequires rehired retirants to accept entry-level pay and prohibits additional benefits, reducing compensation compared to prior roles and limiting employment benefits.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2120: RELATING TO TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

Requires the State, Legislature, and counties to amend rules and policies to ensure that certain employees can transfer accrued vacation and sick leaves if rehired by the State or a county within one calendar year of separation under certain conditions. Extends the allowable break in service for purposes of determining certain state and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund from ninety calendar days to 180 calendar dars under certain conditions. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill ensures transfer of accrued vacation/sick leave and extends health benefits eligibility for rehired public employees, protecting worker benefits continuity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 3092: MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides emergency appropriations for public employment cost items, increasing state spending on salaries for public employees, aligning with funding essential programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds collective bargaining costs and salary adjustments for public employees, directly supporting workers' negotiation rights and wage protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2841: RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

By July 1, 2027, requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop a Human Trafficking Awareness Training Program to educate and train workers in the transient accommodations sector. Requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to periodically provide the human trafficking awareness training to certain employees and contract workers and keep records of the training. By January 1, 2028, requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to post signage regarding human trafficking awareness. By October 1, 2027, requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to develop and implement a human trafficking prevention policy that includes procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires human trafficking prevention training and reporting protocols, enhancing victim protection and law enforcement response within criminal justice framework.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates human trafficking awareness training for transient accommodations workers, directly enhancing workplace safety and protecting against exploitation in the labor sector.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 3091: MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (11) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates emergency funds for public employee salary adjustments, directly increasing state budget spending on collective bargaining costs for fiscal 2025-2027.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds collective bargaining costs and salary adjustments for public employees, directly advancing workers' collective negotiation rights and compensation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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