Sen. Dru Kanuha

Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Requires the Department of Health to approve the content of such training. Clarifies the scope of treatment permitted under assisted community treatment orders. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of requests for a court order to provide treatment over a patient's objection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summarySB 2429 establishes a framework requiring smart speed assistance systems for habitual speeders, directly affecting drivers with repeated speeding violations. It sets clear liability rules for manufacturers, distributors, or retailers of aftermarket speed assistance systems related to their design, manufacture, or repair. The bill also mandates a report to the Legislature on the program's implementation and effectiveness. This legislation focuses on concrete safety technology deployment and accountability, without speculative outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 2615 requires public school districts to charge students at least one-quarter of the actual cost to prepare each school meal. This directly affects students and families who purchase meals at public schools, as it sets a minimum price floor for meal costs. The bill mandates that the Department of Education enforce this requirement, ensuring meal prices cover at least 25% of the preparation expenses. It establishes a concrete policy change in school meal pricing without altering eligibility or funding mechanisms.

Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position for the State Building Code Council to support statewide building code coordination, permitting transparency, and modernization initiatives. Requires county reporting on building permitting performance. Requires the State Building Code Council to develop a plan for the creation of a standardized statewide permitting data system or publicly accessible dashboard and a state building code modernization and transparency initiative. Requires the State Building Code Council to develop standardized credentials and training requirements for permitting officials. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 5) requests the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study establishing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program for artisans and craftspersons. The study would examine the feasibility of creating an award system modeled after France's "Meilleur Ouvrier de France," focusing on preserving traditional trades, recognizing skill mastery (not competition), and promoting cultural heritage. It would identify key industries to include, assess costs, and develop recommendations for a potential program. The Department must submit its findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature by January 2027. This resolution does not create the award program but initiates a study to determine if one would be viable.

Maddy summarySB 3248 establishes mandatory labeling requirements for "ōkolehao" products, a traditional Hawaiian distilled spirit. This bill directly affects producers and sellers of ōkolehao by requiring specific labeling standards on all products sold in the state. The key provision mandates that labels include designated information as defined by the bill, though the abstract does not specify exact content. The measure focuses solely on labeling compliance without additional regulatory provisions.

Maddy summarySB 298 would allocate additional state funds to the Department of Human Services to expand Medicaid in-home care services. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries requiring in-home support, such as elderly or disabled individuals, by increasing access to these services. The bill's key provision is a funding increase for existing in-home care programs under Medicaid, effective July 1, 3000. It is currently pending committee review in the Health and Human Services committee.

Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score, except the summary of scores, during a debriefing requested by a non-selected offeror. Authorizes the disclosure of a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score after any protest is resolved and the contract is executed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to design a five-year Child Welfare System Diversion and Intervention Pilot Program to support families and children involved, at risk of involvement, or at risk of reinvolvement with Child Welfare Services. Specifies that the Department of Human Services shall implement and administer the pilot program. Allows the Department to contract with public and private entities to provide necessary services. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Future Career and Technical Education Teacher Scholarship Program to be administered by the Department of Education to facilitate the recruitment and retention of career and technical education teachers in Hawaii public schools. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)