Expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include any individual or household whose monthly income is equal to or less than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level. Appropriates funds.
Maddy summarySB 46 requires all health insurers in the state, including Medicaid managed care programs, to cover annual mental health wellness examinations. This bill directly affects health insurers and Medicaid programs by mandating coverage for these specific check-ups. The key provision is the requirement for insurers to provide this preventive care without cost-sharing for enrollees. The bill aims to improve access to routine mental health screenings as a standard benefit.
Prohibits the Department of Human Services from using any social security income payments, including supplemental income payments it receives on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department to cover the cost of foster care services. Requires the Department of Human Services to deposit all social security income payments received on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department into a savings account that shall be made accessible to the child when the child leaves foster care custody.
Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules establishing privacy requirements for directtoconsumer genetic testing in the State. Requires the Department's rules to specify whether consumers' genetic information may be used for purposes of investigative genetic genealogy.
Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Land and Natural Resources from disposing of or approving the use or setting aside of public lands for the establishment of any immigration detention facility. Prohibits state and county agencies from contracting with the federal government for this purpose.
Maddy summarySB 1172 requires all health insurers operating in the state, including Medicaid managed care programs, to cover dental and vision care as part of standard health insurance plans. This affects residents enrolled in state health insurance plans, particularly expanding coverage for dental and vision services that were previously often excluded. The key provision mandates insurers to include these benefits without additional cost-sharing for enrollees. The bill is currently pending in committee (referred to HHS, CPN on Jan. 27, 2025) and has not yet passed the legislature.
Requires each public school to implement a policy to prohibit students from using cellular phones and other wireless communication devices during school hours, subject to exceptions for education, health, and emergencies.
Requires the Board of Regents to grant a waiver on all tuition and mandatory fees to a resident student enrolled in the College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa for the semester or term that the student enrolls in a State-Approved Teacher Education Program.
Requires the Department of Transportation or appropriate county department when disposing of a deceased cat or dog from a public roadway to scan the animal for a microchip, record certain information, and report that information to the appropriate county animal services or animal service contractors. Appropriates funds.
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.
