Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a medical treatment utilization schedule to standardize treatment for injured employees involved in workers' compensation claims.
Requires that employers pay all workers' compensation claims for compensable injuries and not deny claims without reasonable cause or during a pending investigation. Creates a presumption of compensability for claims submitted by employees excluded from coverage under the Hawaii prepaid health care act. Requires that employers notify medical services providers of any billing disagreements and allows providers to charge an additional rate to employers for outstanding balances owed for undisputed charges. Establishes dispute resolution procedures for employers and providers who have a reasonable disagreement over charges. Requires employers to deny a treatment plan within 3 days of receipt of a treatment plan or the treatment plan is deemed accepted.
Includes certain law enforcement administrators and employees of the Department of Law Enforcement as class A members of the pension and retirement systems and provides guidance for the computation of retirement benefits similar to police officers.
Expands under certain circumstances the types of employees protected by the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and all individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935.
Maddy summarySB 2388 allows public employers (like state or local government agencies) and employee unions representing bargaining units to negotiate specific retirement benefits. It directly affects public employees covered by collective bargaining agreements and their employers. The bill creates a formal process for these parties to discuss and agree on certain retirement terms, such as pension contributions or benefit structures. Currently pending in committee review, the bill has not yet been enacted into law.
Revises the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund by modifying the priority list for project funding and adding new project priority criteria. Authorizes fund transfers between the Mixed-Income Subaccount without legislative approval. Authorizes conveyance tax revenues deposited into the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be transferred to the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050.
Clarifies the registration process for beekeepers with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to provide guidance and support to registered beekeepers to help beekeepers adhere to certain industry standards and best management practices. Establishes a limitation on liability for any registered beekeeper who follows industry standards and best practices. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Establishes a Clean Plant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to support the production, maintenance, and distribution of disease-free, clean plant material to growers, nurseries, and other agricultural producers in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study of agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for the one-year study of agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers. Appropriates funds to establish positions to collect agricultural data and conduct data analysis for public consumption. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Adds the Executive Director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.
