Sen. Henry Aquino

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow the Hawaiʻi Labor Relations Board to accept and consider hearsay evidence during its proceedings. Hearsay refers to statements made by people who are not present in court, which are currently often excluded in legal settings. The change would directly affect labor disputes by giving the Board more flexibility in reviewing testimony and documents. This procedural update aims to streamline the evidence-gathering process for cases involving workers and employers.

Adds a definition for "exigent circumstances" and amends the definitions of "harm" and "imminent harm" under the Child Protective Act. Clarifies when the police may take protective custody of a child and when the Department of Human Services may assume temporary foster custody of a child when exigent circumstances are present. Creates a judicial process for filing a petition for an order for protective custody, including the circumstances where such an order may be issued without notice and without a hearing. Effective July 1, 2025. (HD2)

Establishes a Silver Alert Program within the Department of Law Enforcement to help locate and safeguard missing persons who are sixty-five years of age or older, cognitively impaired, or developmentally disabled. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Requires the Department of Health to include in its annual report regarding Kalaupapa Settlement details and updated information, as available, regarding the permanent transfer to other governmental or qualified non-governmental entities of the powers and duties of the Department over Kalaupapa Settlement. Requires the Department of Health to report on its community engagement efforts with community stakeholders and the Molokai community. Sunsets on the first 6/30 after the Revisor of Statutes receives a written gubernatorial proclamation that the referenced transfer is complete. (CD1)

Transfers the enforcement of the Motor Carrier Law from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation. Makes conforming amendments. (CD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacies outside the state to send prescription details to local pharmacies when a patient first fills a prescription written in another state. The main change is to authorize the transfer of information for the initial fill of out-of-state prescriptions, which currently may be restricted. This update directly affects patients who have prescriptions from other states and the pharmacies that dispense them. The legislation aims to streamline the process for handling these cross-state prescriptions by permitting the necessary data exchange.

Establishes the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program, to be implemented by the State in only those locations where a photo red light imaging detector system has been implemented. Creates a new offense of noncompliance with maximum speed limit under an automated speed enforcement system. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Adopts, establishes, and designates the shaka as the official gesture of the State. Authorizes the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to develop a public work of art related to the shaka and its history to be displayed in a prominent location in the State. (CD1)

Requires the Information Technology Steering Committee to assist the Chief Information Officer to develop a plan to enhance the mobile application developed to enable the public to access the State's website. Requires the Chief Information Officer's annual report of the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to include updates on the mobile application. (CD1)

Repeals Part II of Act 66, SLH 2023, which requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to work with the University of Hawaiʻi on workforce development activities that support the development of the Hawaiʻi Pacific Hydrogen Hub and related aspects of the State's hydrogen energy industry. Repeals the appropriation to develop the Hawaiʻi Pacific Hydrogen Hub. (CD1)