Sen. Will Espero

Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the initial staff necessary to develop and manage the He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve and its programs. Eff. 3/14/2092. (SD1)

Requires insurers, mutual benefit societies, fraternal benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for health care services provided by a naturopathic physician. Requires the insurance commissioner to receive and investigate complaints regarding discrimination with respect to participation under a health insurance plan against any health care provider. Effective 6/1/2050. (SD2)

Requires mortgage servicer licensees to establish an education program that includes development of internal policies, procedures, and controls and a continuing education program for its employees. Defines "nonprofit organization" and lowers the application fee and renewal license fee for nonprofit corporations under the State's mortgage servicer law. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes that for a second offense that occurs within five years, rather than one year, of the first conviction of the offense of abuse of a family or household member is a misdemeanor and the person shall be termed a "repeat offender". Establishes that a third or subsequent offense that occurs within five, rather than two, years of a second or subsequent conviction of the offense is a class C felony and allows the prosecution to use prior convictions of the offense of abuse of a family or household member as evidence in the instant offense committed by a repeat offender. Requires the court to immediately order the defendant incarcerated to serve the mandatory sentence imposed for failure to complete the domestic violence intervention program or violation of any other condition of a sentence imposed pursuant to a deferred acceptance of guilty plea or nolo contendere plea. Requires the judiciary, in cooperation with the prosecutor of each county and police department of each county, to annually compile and report on statistics regarding arrests, charges, convictions, and other dispositions based on the offense of abuse of a family or household member. Repeals and reenacts the offense of abuse of a family or household member on 6/30/2020. Takes effect on 1/7/2059. (SD1)

Clarifies the allowable and prohibited practices requirements for dental assistants. Clarifies that rules shall not infringe upon, overlap with, or conflict with the duties and scope of practice for other licensed professionals. Prohibits persons from employing, directing, or ordering a dental assistant or other person to perform services or procedures within the scope of practice of dental hygiene. (SD1)

Requires LRB to conduct a feasibility study that includes the costs associated with the implementation of audiovisual technology in both chambers of the legislature. Makes an appropriation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Requires any report of a study or an audit enacted with a legislative appropriation and conducted by an executive department or agency, including the Hawaii health systems corporation, and by the legislative reference bureau, auditor, judiciary, or Office of Hawaiian Affairs, to be submitted to the senate president, speaker of the house, chairs of the appropriate subject matter committee of each house, and the legislative reference bureau library. Requires a public hearing or informational briefing within one year of receipt of report, except if extension granted to the hearing or briefing requirement by the senate president or speaker of the house of representatives or if the requirement is waived by the senate president or speaker of the house of representative. (SD2)