Rep. Cory Chun

Maddy summaryHB 442 allocates state funds specifically for the University of Hawaii, West Oahu to support its pre-nursing pathway program. This bill directly affects students at UH West Oahu who are enrolled in or seeking entry into nursing education. The key provision is the appropriation of dedicated funding to develop and operate this pre-nursing curriculum. The bill focuses on expanding access to nursing education pathways at this campus, without changing broader university policies or regulations.

Requires the Department of Transportation or appropriate county to scan any cat or dog carcass found on a state or county roadway for a microchip, record certain information, report that information to the appropriate county animal services or animal service contractors, and make reasonable efforts to contact the registered owner. Authorizes the Department of Transportation and each county to coordinate with each other to share scanner resources or protocols. (CD1)

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires pharmacy technicians to be registered with and obtain a certificate of registration issued by the Board of Pharmacy. Imposes a duty on pharmacists-in-charge to report violations by registered pharmacy technicians to the Board of Pharmacy. Specifies that supervising registered pharmacists are responsible for the actions of registered pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns. (CD1)

Beginning 1/1/2026, increases the cigarette tax from 16 cents to 18 cents and amends the disposition of cigarette tax revenues by allocating the increase in the cigarette tax amount to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a portion to be used exclusively for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Effective 12/31/2025. (CD1)

Allows a patient who has been seen in person by a health care provider who is in the same medical group as the prescribing provider authorized pursuant to section 329-33, HRS, to be prescribed an opiate prescription for a three-day supply or less via telehealth. (SD1)

Increases the domiciliary care rates for certain providers and clarifies that the needs allowance and domiciliary care rates are included in the state supplemental payment ceiling amounts. Effective 10/1/2025. (CD1)

Appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to collaborate with contracted community-based organizations to address the need for social services in the State. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

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)

Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to prioritize development of workforce rental and for-sale housing projects for qualified residents. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to adopt administrative rules. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Establishes braille literacy as a policy of the State. Requires literacy assessments for eligible low vision and blind students to include braille instruction and the use of braille. Authorizes the Department of Education to adopt administrative rules. Establishes the Braille Literacy Resource Center. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)