Establishes the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program to be administered by the Department of Law Enforcement to provide $15,000 retention bonuses to eligible sworn law enforcement officers that have worked a minimum of two thousand hours during the preceding fiscal year, subject to collective bargaining negotiations. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Appropriates funds for the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (SD1)
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.
Prohibits discrimination based on the perception that a person possesses certain characteristics, the perception that a person is associated with a person who possesses, or is perceived to possess, certain characteristics, or the intersection or combination of two or more specified characteristics in relation to a person. (SD1)
SB 2025 allows actively practicing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to claim exemption from serving on jury duty. This bill directly affects APRNs who are currently working in their specialty roles. The key provision removes the requirement for these nurses to fulfill jury service obligations, instead permitting them to formally request exemption. The change aims to address workforce needs by reducing scheduling conflicts for nurses providing critical healthcare services.
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.
Requires employers in the hospitality industry to implement anti-harassment measures, provide training, and equip certain workers with panic buttons. Prohibits retaliation against a hospitality worker who files a complaint, uses the provided panic button, or participates in an investigation or proceeding related to a harassment complaint. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules, including rules determining penalties and establishing procedures for handling complaints. Requires all hospitality employers to comply no later than 1/1/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Clarifies that the Hawaii Labor Relations Board has the authority to enforce its own orders issued pursuant to state law governing collective bargaining in public employment, in addition to discretion to seek judicial enforcement of its orders under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
SB 451 would require the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program, enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing Medicaid benefits when they earn income. This program would allow individuals to pay a portion of the cost to stay enrolled in Medicaid while working, rather than losing coverage as earnings increase. The bill is scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2050, but remains under review by the Health and Human Services committee. It directly affects working adults with disabilities who currently face coverage gaps when earning above Medicaid income limits.
Requires under the State's wage compensation laws that food, beverage, and service establishments that accept tips and employ tipped employees post signs that include language explaining their tip allocation practices and the contact information for the Wage Standards Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Wage and Hours Division of the United States Department of Labor. Establishes back wages and penalties as available remedies for employees in the event of a violation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Clarifies that the bid incentive given to bidders for public works construction projects who are parties to an apprenticeship agreement is based on apprenticeable trades utilized, rather than employed, to construct the public works. Requires the bidder and the bidder's subcontractors to be parties to all apprenticeable trades utilized to construct the project for which a state-approved apprenticeship program exists. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
