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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2312 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The value of syndromic surveillance has
been demonstrated in Hawaii during responses to wildfires, volcanic eruptions,
drinking water contamination, and communicable disease outbreaks. Syndromic surveillance in these events
prompted real-time clinical guidance and targeted health interventions,
informed resource allocation decisions, and guided public messaging.
The legislature also finds that the use of
syndromic surveillance data, currently collected through the National Syndromic
Surveillance Program, can enable the department of health and other state
agencies to better monitor, act on, and understand a wide range of public
health concerns, including communicable disease, chronic disease, disaster and
terrorism response, climate and weather-related illness and injury, gun
violence, suicidal ideation, and drug use and overdose.
At present, the department of health can
access and analyze data collected by the National Syndromic Surveillance
Program. However, data is submitted to
that program on a voluntary basis, and the department of health does not have
the authority to require participation or determine how data is submitted. Additionally, Hawaii's dependence on the
National Syndromic Surveillance Program, which is federally funded and
administered, leaves the State vulnerable to changes in federal data collection
priorities. Further, the National
Syndromic Surveillance Program offers minimal flexibility and does not always
meet the needs of the State to the extent necessary for adequate public health
management. The department of health is
unable to customize analyses of data from the National Syndromic Surveillance
Program to Hawaii's population and public health concerns, including health
disparities. Because participation in
the National Syndromic Surveillance Program is voluntary, there are
geographical "data deserts" in rural areas where the department of
health has an incomplete understanding of public health concerns.
The legislature further finds that the
department of health's recently updated electronic disease surveillance system
can support a local syndromic surveillance system that does not rely on a
federal data system and is more customizable, allowing for integration with
other department of health systems and more efficient collaboration with other
state agencies.
The legislature finds that it is critical
that the department of health retain and strengthen its ability to collect and
use syndromic surveillance data independent of federal systems to ensure the
department can rapidly detect and respond to public health threats.
Accordingly,
the purposes of this Act are to authorize the department of health to require
the reporting of syndromic surveillance data, regulate how syndromic
surveillance data is collected, and allow the department of health to create
and operate a local syndromic surveillance system, as needed, independent of
federal systems.
SECTION 2.
Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:
"PART . SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE
§321- Syndromic
surveillance data collection; authorized. (a)
Hospitals with emergency departments that are licensed in the State
shall report syndromic surveillance data to the department of health in a
manner and format specified by the department of health on its website. Information required to be reported includes
data regarding:
(1) Infectious
or communicable disease;
(2) Noninfectious
causes of acute or chronic illness;
(3) Intentional
or accidental use or misuse of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear
agents;
(4) Adverse
environmental events or natural disasters, including but not limited to
hurricanes, floods, and fires; or
(5) Any
other emerging threat or condition affecting public health.
(b)
The department of health may establish by rules pursuant to chapter 91 a
state syndromic surveillance data reporting system to collect, maintain, and
analyze syndromic surveillance data.
(c)
The department of health may require by rules pursuant to chapter 91
additional entities, including, but not limited to, urgent care facilities,
emergency medical service providers, other healthcare facilities, and poison
control centers to submit syndromic surveillance data.
(d)
For purposes of this part, "syndromic surveillance data" means
de-identified data that signals a sufficient probability of a case, an outbreak
of disease, or other event that may warrant a public health response, including
but not limited to:
(1) Chief
complaint;
(2) Discharge
diagnosis;
(3) Visit
dates;
(4) Patient
demographics;
(5) Patient
ZIP code; and
(6) Facility
location.
§321-
Confidentiality.
Syndromic surveillance data is
confidential and may only be shared or redisclosed pursuant to state and
federal privacy regulations or for research purposes that have been approved by
the department of health's institutional review committee; provided that the
department of health may publicly release aggregated statistical data that does
not allow identification of individuals.
§321- Rules. The director of health may adopt
rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out the purposes of this part."
SECTION
3. This Act shall take effect upon its
approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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BY REQUEST |
Report Title:
DOH; Syndromic Surveillance Data
Description:
Requires hospitals with emergency departments that are licensed in Hawaii to submit syndromic surveillance data to the Department of Health. Authorizes the Department of Health, as needed, to establish by administrative rules a syndromic surveillance system under state jurisdiction that is independent of federal systems.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.