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.
Maddy summarySB 1643 lowers the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving under the influence of intoxicants, directly affecting drivers who operate vehicles while impaired. The bill reduces the current threshold (typically 0.08%) to a stricter level, making it easier for law enforcement to charge drivers at lower BAC levels. This change applies to all intoxicants, not just alcohol, and aims to strengthen DUI enforcement by adjusting the legal standard for impairment. The bill is currently in committee review after its initial introduction and first reading.
Maddy summarySB 1647 allocates state funds to the Department of Human Services to pay primary care physicians directly for services provided to Med-QUEST recipients (Hawaii's Medicaid program). This bill directly affects primary care doctors who treat Med-QUEST patients and the patients themselves by changing how providers are reimbursed. The key mechanism is shifting payment from the current system to direct payments from the state to physicians for covered services. This is a funding bill focused on streamlining payments within Hawaii's Medicaid program, with no new eligibility rules or service requirements.
Transfers from the Department of Land and Natural Resources certain state boating facilities on Maui to the County of Maui with the corresponding revenue from those harbors. Appropriates funds.
Requires the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund Board of Trustees to negotiate with health insurance carriers to ensure that 12% of monthly premium payments are paid directly to primary care providers. Requires the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division to allocate 12% of monthly premium payments directly to primary care providers.
Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to repeal, revoke, or buy out the remainder of the lease of the real property under the Prince Kuhio Plaza, in Hilo, Hawaii, and resell that lease at fair market value to a new entity that agrees to properly maintain the plaza.
Authorizes the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish a two-year Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program to provide 50 per cent matching grants to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the United States Department of Defense Office of Naval Research. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to adopt administrative rules to implement the Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program. Establishes the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds.
Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to work with the appropriate county board or department of water supply to provide access to potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian home lands; provided that any agreement between DHHL and that county board or department of water supply is made available to the public.
Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Commission within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes a Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires news media outlets to provide training in the ethics of journalism to journalists and editors in their employ. Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Review Board to be administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Review Board to handle complaints and appeals regarding violations of the Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes penalties for violations. Requires the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to conduct an analysis of the journalism program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Social Sciences. Requires the Board of Regents to report to the Legislature.
Specifies that the penalty for sex trafficking shall be payment of a fine of no less than $50,000 but no more than $100,000, and a definite term of imprisonment of up to 20 years without the possibility of a suspended sentence, probation, or parole. Provides that consent to sexual conduct is not a defense. Defines "sexual conduct". Provides that a minor who reports that the minor is a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability.
