Rep. Elle Cochran

Establishes within the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Malama Ohana Working Group to seek, design, and recommend transformative changes to the State's existing child welfare system. Allows the Office of Wellness and Resilience to contract with an administrative facilitator to provide necessary support for the Malama Ohana Working Group in carrying out its duties. Requires the Malama Ohana Working Group to report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2025 and be dissolved upon the adjournment thereof. Appropriates funds.

Requires that prior to the adoption, amendment, or repeal of an administrative rule, electronic notice of the proposed rulemaking be provided to all persons who have made a timely written request to, and provided a valid working email address to, the adopting agency for advance notice of its rulemaking proceedings. Requires that alterations to administrative rules be displayed in Ramseyer format and the full text of rules be made available in a digitally accessible and searchable format. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds for three program specialist positions within the Executive Office on Aging for Hawaiʻi's State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

Requires that the legislature ensure that state facilities, businesses, and recreational facilities meet certain accessibility requirements and be in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.

Requires the department of labor and industrial relations to conduct an actuarial study on a leave grant pilot program to help small businesses offer their employees paid family leave and paid sick leave. Appropriates funds. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)

Prohibits an employer from discriminating against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment based on the person's status as a medical cannabis registry card holder, under certain conditions. Authorizes an employer to use a fit-for-duty test for medical cannabis qualifying patients in potentially dangerous occupations. Exempts certain occupations.

Requires the office of the lieutenant governor to convene a working group to examine the feasibility of establishing and implementing a kauhale pilot program based on specified criteria to provide shelter and other services to homeless individuals in the State and to submit a report of the working group's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature prior to the regular session of 2024.

Establishes a general excise tax exemption for the gross proceeds or income from the manufacture, production, packaging, and sale of diapers. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Executive Office on Aging to establish a Workforce Development and Support Center. Requires the Center to develop a Workforce Pilot Project. Requires the Workforce Pilot Project to terminate on 6/30/2026. Appropriates funds. Effective 6/30/2050. (SD1)

Expands the list of acceptable institutions or organizations that can approve the continuing education courses needed by naturopathic physicians for license renewal.