Sen. Kurt Fevella

Authorizes a physician, upon consultation with a minor patient who indicates that the minor was the victim of a sexual offense, with the consent of the minor patient, to perform customary and necessary examinations to obtain evidence of the sexual offense and may prescribe for and treat the patient for any immediate condition caused by the sexual offense. Provides that the consent of the parent, parents, or legal guardian of a minor offender who has been committed to the Hawaii youth correctional facilities is not necessary in order to authorize hospital, medical, mental health, dental, emergency health, or emergency surgical care.

Authorizes the election of the members of the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Establishes the elected office of Director of Hawaiian Home Lands, the holder of which shall have administrative oversight over the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Subject to congressional approval.

Prohibits the abortion of a fetus that is capable of feeling pain. Prohibits abortions by dismemberment. Provides certain exceptions. Establishes penalties.

Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires each public school in the State, including charter schools, to employ, or retain under contract, at least 1 mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Education to contract for mental health professionals and to establish an unspecified number of fulltime equivalent mental health professional positions within the Department of Education. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 650 makes it a Class A felony for caregivers to financially exploit vulnerable adults, such as elderly or disabled individuals. This law directly affects vulnerable adults who rely on caregivers for support and the caregivers themselves who commit such exploitation. The key provision elevates the penalty for this crime from a lower-level offense to the highest criminal classification, reflecting its severity. The bill aims to strengthen legal consequences for financial abuse in caregiving relationships.

Repeals existing law that preempted local ordinances or regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices and nullified and voided any conflicting local laws and regulations. Allows counties to adopt ordinances that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices that do not conflict with and are more stringent than the state law that govern smoking.

Maddy summarySB 617 requires state agencies to hold a public hearing in any community directly affected by a proposed project before finalizing its draft environmental impact statement. This applies to projects like construction, land development, or infrastructure that would impact local neighborhoods, businesses, or natural areas. The bill mandates these hearings to ensure affected residents and stakeholders can voice concerns directly to decision-makers during the early review phase. It does not change environmental standards but adds a community input step to the existing review process.

Prohibits certain covered educational entities and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation facilities from collecting information regarding citizenship or immigration status or allowing officers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enter certain facilities, except under specific circumstances.

Clarifies that the School Facilities Authority is responsible for certain development, planning, and construction projects for prekindergarten, preschool, and child care facilities, as well as workforce housing. Allows the School Facilities Authority to use the Department of Education for certain recruitment and hiring responsibilities. Allows the School Facilities Authority to partner with public and private development agencies to develop prekindergarten facilities. Exclude School Facilities Authority Board workgroups and subcommittees from the Sunshine Law, except as it relates to permitted interactions.