STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3759

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2314

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 Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2314, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEMS OF CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to modernize Hawaii's emergency medical service laws to align with current best practices.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and State Health Planning and Development Agency.

Your Committee finds that the State's existing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) statutes do not reflect the manner in which emergencies are handled today. This measure will align the State's EMS laws with national best practices and adopt an integrated "emergency medical systems of care" framework to support coordinated, evidence-based care for critical emergencies, standardized statewide protocols, and improved preparedness for disasters and mass-casualty incidents so residents on every island can receive timely, effective emergency care.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2314, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair