Sen. Ron Kouchi

Authorizes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to access vital records for purposes of verifying Native Hawaiian ancestry for beneficiary programs. Requires the Department of Health and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement to assure appropriate access and handling of confidential records and sealed records that have been unsealed pursuant to court order. (CD1)

Clarifies that failure to comply with approved mitigation commitments, conduct an archaeological inventory survey, or comply with other administrative requirements pertaining to archaeology approved by the Department of Land and Natural Resources shall result in civil and administrative violations. (CD1)

Authorizes disposition of public land leases by direct negotiation for commercial or industrial use on parcels of up to five acres. Repeals 6/30/2029. (CD1)

Permanently authorizes the University of Hawaiʻi to continue to regulate conflicts of interest and other ethical issues for technology transfer activities sponsored by the University of Hawaiʻi. Takes effect 6/29/2024. (CD1)

Authorizes the Director of Health to issue public health standing orders for patients to self-refer to certain health care screening services. Establishes requirements for the provision of items or services pursuant to a public health standing order. Establishes the Public Health Standing Orders Working Group. Sunsets 6/30/2027. (HD2)

Establishes a Crisis Intervention and Diversion Services Program within the Department of Health to expand existing services to divert certain persons experiencing mental health disorders and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders to appropriate health care systems and services. Defines "mental health emergency worker". Requires the Department of Health to establish standards and rules for the designation of mental health emergency workers. With regards to emergency examination and hospitalization of persons who are deemed imminently dangerous to self or others, clarifies when a law enforcement officer may gain control of the person and the procedures the officer shall take to call for assistance from a mental health emergency worker; allows the person to be transported to facilities designated by the Director of Health in addition to licensed psychiatric facilities; and allows a person to be transported to a behavioral health crisis center designated by the Director of Health if a Crisis Intervention Officer has probable cause to believe that the person is imminently dangerous to self or others, as determined by a mental health emergency worker. (CD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a program called the Innovation and Commercialization Initiative Program at the University of Hawaiʻi. The change affects the university by ensuring that this specific initiative continues to operate without needing annual renewal. The program is designed to support research efforts aimed at creating new products or services from university discoveries. It takes effect on June 29, 2024.

Establishes a Peer Support Specialist Working Group within the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop and make recommendations for a framework for peer support specialists in the State. Requires the working group to submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2025. Sunsets the working group on 6/30/2025. (CD1)

Authorizes minors who are at least fourteen years old to consent to medical care and services for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and family planning services, including the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Requires confidentiality policies and practices for insurers and health care providers. Effective 1/1/2025. (HD2)

Amends various sections of article 11 of the Insurance Code to adopt revisions to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Model No. 440, Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act. (CD1)