Labor & Employment

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2335: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes that certain participants in state-funded internship and workforce development programs are eligible for internal recruitment. Authorizes any state department, division, or agency to make certain determinations regarding an applicant's minimum qualifications in conducting a minimum qualification review. Repeals the requirement that a state department, division, or agency shall submit to the Department of Human Resources Development the applications for individuals who have met the minimum qualifications for a vacant position. Repeals the requirement that DHRD shall complete certain necessary tasks to facilitate the hiring of applications. Authorizes the director or head of a state department, division, or agency to directly hire an individual who meets the minimum qualifications for a civil service position. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prioritizes full-time state employment for workforce program participants, enhancing career pathways and job opportunities within government roles.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 2386: RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS.

Clarifies that the requirement to disclose hourly rates or salary ranges on job listings applies to full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal employment. Repeals the exemption for employers having fewer than fifty employees from the disclosure requirement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires pay transparency in job listings for most employers, advancing workers' right to know compensation before applying, while moderately exempting very small businesses.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 119: REQUESTING THE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to conduct a study compiling recommended safe patient staffing ratios for various hospital units and healthcare settings. The study will use existing state bills as a framework and incorporate guidelines from major professional nursing organizations, including those specializing in critical care, emergency, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing. The Center for Nursing is asked to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature and Department of Health by early 2027, with the goal of providing data to help healthcare facilities implement safer staffing levels.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests study on safe patient staffing ratios to improve healthcare quality and patient safety, aligning with support indicators for protecting patient rights and improving healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to establish safe patient staffing ratios, which directly improves workplace safety and protects nursing staff from burnout and injury risks.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 480: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Authorizes an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination and refer an injured employee for the examination without first obtaining permission from the employee's employer. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows physicians to refer injured workers for functional capacity exams without employer permission, improving access to healthcare services for workplace injury cases.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves employer permission barrier for medical exams, streamlining access to workers' compensation evaluations and protecting injured workers' rights under compensation process.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2007: RELATING TO THE HOUSEHOLD AND DEPENDENT CARE SERVICES TAX CREDIT.

Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. Establishes certain disallowance periods following a final decision that a claim for the credit was due to fraud and that the claim was disallowed. Extends the sunset date of the temporary increase in maximum employment-related expenses that are used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit, established by Act 163, SLH 2023, to 6/30/2030. Sunsets 6/30/2030. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit benefits by raising applicable percentage and extending credit duration, providing tax relief for households with dependent care expenses.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands tax credit for dependent care expenses, reducing worker costs and supporting workforce participation through employment-related benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 3180: RELATING TO STATE EMPLOYMENT.

Establishes a five-year pilot program allowing retirants to be rehired for exempt service for one-year terms under certain circumstances. Provides that retirants employed under the program are excluded from the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund and will not experience an interruption of pension benefits. Requires an employer of a retirant under the program to contribute to the Employees' Retirement System. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to submit a report to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRepeals limits on 89-day temporary hires, enabling longer temporary positions which may reduce job security for state workers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2159: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

HB 2159 funds health care workforce development programs at the University of Hawaii. It appropriates state funds to establish new positions within the university focused on training and supporting health care workers. This bill directly affects the University of Hawaii's ability to expand its health care workforce initiatives. The key provision is the allocation of dedicated funding to create these new roles, aiming to strengthen Hawaii's health care workforce pipeline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds health care workforce development at UH, creating training positions to strengthen Hawaii's healthcare pipeline through dedicated state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds health care workforce training programs, strengthening Hawaii's employment pipeline and supporting worker development within health care sector.75% 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 · 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 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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