STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3168

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1961

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 Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1961, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit persons from interfering with another person's access to or from a health care facility or disrupting the normal functioning of a health care facility;

(2) Make violations a petty misdemeanor;

(3) Establish a private right of action; and

(4) Authorize the Attorney General to bring an action for injunctive or other equitable relief.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency; Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Commission; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Pride at Work–Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Women's Coalition; H.O.K.U PAC; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Hawaiʻi Section; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Hawaiʻi; Indivisible Hawaiʻi; AAUW of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi State Youth Commission; and forty-eight individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiʻi Christian Coalition, Leeward Republican Women's Club, Hawaii Family Forum, and thirty-six individuals.

Your Committee finds that access to health care is a fundamental right. No individual should be subject to harassment, obstruction, intimidation, or endangerment when seeking medical care, nor should health care providers and staff be subjected to disruption or threats while delivering essential services. Your Committee further finds that this measure does not prohibit free speech or peaceful protest; rather, it draws a clear and necessary line against conduct that interferes with access to care, disrupts medical services, or causes harm to patients and providers. This measure ensures that health care facilities remain safe, accessible, and operational for all who rely on them.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1961, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1961, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair