Sen. Karl Rhoads

By 1/1/2028, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2029, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program.

Maddy summarySB 1151 simplifies the legal process for determining parentage when using assisted reproductive technologies (like IVF or surrogacy). It directly affects intended parents, donors, and surrogates by replacing complex court procedures with a streamlined, administrative method. The bill establishes a clear, faster pathway to establish legal parentage without requiring court involvement in most cases. This change aims to reduce delays and legal costs for families formed through assisted reproduction.

Prohibits the sale of flavored nicotine products and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine free. Establishes penalties for violations. Authorizes the Department of Health to appoint, commission, or contract for services of inspectors. Establishes two full-time equivalent program specialist positions and one full-time equivalent hearing officer position. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2026.

Requires insurers to notify the Insurance Commissioner of all existing motor vehicle insurance policies and whenever the insurer issues, cancels, terminates, or does not renew a motor vehicle insurance policy. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to use the insurance policy information to create an electronic database to provide law enforcement and the courts with instant insurance verification. Appropriates funds.

Requires a law enforcement officer who observes criminal misconduct by another law enforcement officer to report the criminal misconduct. Requires passage of a psychological screening test battery to qualify for appointment as a law enforcement officer. Subjects a law enforcement officer to denial, suspension, or revocation of a law enforcement officer's certification for failure to report observed criminal misconduct or committing an act of criminal misconduct. Prohibits the use of a chokehold by a law enforcement officer unless the use of deadly force is justifiable. Defines "chokehold".

Beginning 1/1/2026, prohibits the issuance of building permits for new single-family dwellings that are part of a development of twenty or more dwellings and do not include a rooftop photovoltaic energy generating system, unless a variance is granted by the Hawaii State Energy Office. Authorizes the Hawaii State Energy Office to adopt administrative rules.

Maddy summarySB 1021 bans the keeping or breeding of whales, dolphins, and porpoises (cetaceans) in captivity, except in specific circumstances outlined by the bill. This directly affects marine parks, aquariums, and facilities that currently house or breed these animals. The key provision prohibits most captive breeding and holding operations, though it allows exceptions for research, rescue, or other defined purposes. The bill represents a significant policy shift toward restricting cetacean captivity in the state.

Maddy summarySB 632 requires the State Building Code Council to create and adopt a new green building standards code. This bill directly affects builders, developers, and architects working on new construction and major renovations across the state. The key provision mandates the Council to establish specific environmental standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable materials in building projects. Once adopted, these standards would become part of the state building code, guiding construction practices to reduce environmental impact. The bill focuses on creating measurable sustainability requirements, not on specific project outcomes.

Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to improve Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program rates, including establishing additional positions.

Authorizes school complexes to incorporate media literacy in their standards-based curriculum, including content that prevents negative impacts of misinformation, disinformation, digital discrimination, and online hate speech.