Rep. Jenna Takenouchi

Prohibits health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations from arbitrarily denying coverage requests for gender affirming health care services when the requested service is known to be considered a standard of care and for which scientific evidence exists that supports the service. Increases transparency of insurance carrier medical necessity reviews and requirements when coverage is denied.

Maddy summaryHB 558 establishes a Nuclear Energy Task Force within Hawaii's State Energy Office to study nuclear energy's potential role in the state's energy future. The bill requires this task force to submit regular reports to the Hawaii Legislature. It directly affects the State Energy Office and the Legislature by creating a formal process for gathering and reviewing nuclear energy information. This procedural bill does not change energy policy but mandates structured analysis and reporting on nuclear energy.

Establishes fees that medical providers may charge for requests for a patient's medical records from the patient's family member, caregiver, or representative. Requires medical providers to respond to requests in a timely manner. Establishes penalties.

Increases the state supplemental payment ceilings for type I adult residential care homes, licensed developmental disabilities domiciliary homes, community care foster family homes, certified adult foster homes, and type II adult residential care homes. Authorizes an additional payment for resident clients residing in these homes when state funds for the state supplemental payment for a specific fiscal year are not fully expended, under certain circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 183 would allow qualifying taxpayers who claim a dependent under 18 to receive an additional state Earned Income Tax Credit. This directly affects low-income individuals and families with children or other dependents under age 18. The bill's key provision adds a new credit amount specifically for households with qualifying young dependents. It does not change the existing base Earned Income Tax Credit structure for taxpayers without under-18 dependents.

Establishes a working group within the Hawaii State Energy Office to make recommendations for the reuse and recycling of electric vehicle batteries and requires a report to the Legislature.

Requires the court to impose a mandatory fine per violation for nuisance abatement laws related to gambling offenses. Allows citizens who bring civil nuisance abatement suits against places used for illegal gambling the same rights and protections as those afforded to victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings.

Makes permanent the amendments made by Act 163, SLH 2023, to the state earned income tax credit and refundable food/excise tax credit. Amends the income thresholds and credit amounts for the low-income household renters tax credit and refundable food/excise tax credit. Amends the state earned income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Amends the Hawaii State Constitution to prohibit the State from denying or interfering with an individual's reproductive freedom, including the right to choose to obtain an abortion and to obtain or use contraceptives.

Authorizes law enforcement and fire officers to enter and inspect any licensee's or permittee's premises, under certain conditions, to verify compliance with the State's Fireworks Control Law. Establishes procedures for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct administrative inspections of controlled premises. Requires certain licensees and permittees to keep records and maintain inventories. Requires licensees and permittees to report any stolen fireworks or articles pyrotechnic. Authorizes a law enforcement agency or county fire department to safely dispose of confiscated fireworks and articles pyrotechnic. Requires violators to be held liable for storage and disposal costs. Specifies that each type of prohibited firework constitutes a separate violation. Authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement, in addition to the counties, to enforce the Fireworks Control Law. (CD1)