STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3780

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1898

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1898, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Specify that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations;

(2) Require health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans established by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust to provide coverage for clinical preventive services;

(3) Authorize the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations;

(4) Clarify that, for coverage for child health supervision services, the prevailing medical standards include recommendations by the Department of Health;

(5) Specify that coverage for clinical preventive services shall not be denied on the basis of medical necessity or subject to prior authorization;

(6) Specify that a registered pharmacist may order a vaccine in accordance with the recommendations from the Department of Health; and

(7) Exempt this measure from an Auditor impact assessment report.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, Hawaii Medical Association, and six individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from eight individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association.

Your Committees find that immunization is critical to public safety, as vaccines can prevent common diseases that seriously harm or cause the death of infants, children, and adults. This measure will strengthen the State's commitment to public health by reinforcing evidence-based standards for childhood immunization and preventative care, ensuring that nationally recognized expertise guides health policy put forward by the Department of Health, and shielding medical providers from unfounded liability claims when they follow the Department's guidance.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1898, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair