This bill requires the Hawaii Department of Education to create an updated plan for maximizing Medicaid reimbursements for administrative and support services provided to students with special needs. The Department must also submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how it meets specific Medicaid claim requirements, such as verifying student eligibility, maintaining proper documentation, and ensuring services are delivered by licensed providers. These reports will include data on the number of students served, the amount of federal funds leveraged, and how the reimbursement money is reinvested. Additionally, the Department must provide training materials and evidence of training for staff involved in delivering these school-based services.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 221 into law on July 9, 2026. The law expands hospital licensing options by allowing facilities to use accreditation from any Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-approved organization, not just The Joint Commission. Under the new rules, hospitals that maintain full accreditation or certification can be exempt from routine state licensing inspections, though the department retains the right to investigate complaints or adverse findings. Additionally, reports and letters from these accrediting bodies will become public information.
This bill directs the state health planning and development agency to create a comprehensive plan addressing hearing loss across Hawaii. The plan must assess current efforts, analyze data on prevalence and access to care, and offer recommendations to improve screening, affordability, and treatment for people of all ages. The agency is required to share the initial plan with the legislature before the 2027 session and provide regular updates every two years on progress and future work.
This bill establishes a state-funded financial assistance program to cover colorectal cancer screenings and necessary follow-up treatments for Hawaii residents who are uninsured, have inadequate health coverage, or are ineligible for Medicaid. It mandates that all health insurance policies in the state must cover colorectal cancer screenings using approved methods without requiring deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing fees. Additionally, the legislation requires insurance providers to inform their customers about the risks of undiagnosed colorectal cancer and encourages them to consult with physicians regarding screening options. The Department of Human Services is tasked with creating an application process for this program, which is initially funded with $1.8 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
This bill, known as Act 231, expands the pool of qualified professionals who can serve as child custody evaluators in Hawaii by including licensed mental health counselors. Currently, only marriage and family therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers are eligible, but this legislation adds licensed mental health counselors to the list of approved professionals. The change aims to address high demand and long wait times for evaluations, which can delay critical decisions affecting children's well-being and increase costs for families. By allowing counselors to perform these evaluations, the bill seeks to reduce backlogs and make the process more accessible and equitable for families involved in family court proceedings.
This bill establishes a three-year pilot program allowing qualified clinical psychologists to prescribe specific psychotropic medications under the supervision of a physician or psychiatrist. The program is limited to treating patients between the ages of 18 and 65 at federally qualified health centers located in Kauai and Hawaii counties. The legislation aims to improve access to mental health care in these areas by expanding the scope of practice for psychologists who have completed specialized training in psychopharmacology.
This bill directs the Office of Wellness and Resilience to create a program that purchases and forgives outstanding medical debt for eligible Hawaii residents. To qualify for this relief, individuals must be state residents with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level and adjusted gross incomes under $100,000, while also having medical debt equal to at least 5% of their household income. The legislation authorizes the state to partner with relevant agencies to administer the program, which aims to help families avoid the negative impacts of unpaid medical bills on their health and financial stability.
This bill directs the state to increase Medicaid funding for residential care services in community foster family homes and expanded adult residential care homes. The legislation appropriates $1.7 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to raise reimbursement rates to the "medium" level identified in a 2022 study, addressing previous funding gaps that hindered providers from offering employee benefits. The Department of Human Services must secure the maximum available federal matching funds and explore other private grants before spending the money. These changes are designed to help care providers operate sustainably and expand options for older Hawaiians who need long-term care closer to home.
This bill clarifies that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are enrolled in specific Medicaid waiver programs can live in community care foster family homes without losing their waiver benefits. It amends state statutes to ensure that residency in these homes is not denied solely based on a person's disability status or their participation in a particular Medicaid program. The legislation also updates regulations for these homes, including requirements for caregiver age, continuing education, and limits on how long primary caregivers can be absent while maintaining staffing standards.
This bill requires all hospitals with emergency departments in Hawaii to report de-identified patient data to the state Department of Health for syndromic surveillance. The collected information, which includes chief complaints, diagnoses, and visit dates, will be used to automatically detect disease outbreaks and public health threats without revealing individual identities. By establishing a state-run reporting program, the legislation allows the Department of Health to customize data analysis for local needs and reduces reliance on a voluntary federal system. This change aims to improve the state's ability to respond quickly to health emergencies, including pandemics, natural disasters, and other public health concerns.
