STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3306

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1871

H.D. 1

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. 1871, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program within the Department of Health to offer eligible participants improved maternal health care through remote patient monitoring for maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Commission on the Status of Women, AdvaMed, Hawaiʻi Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Action Group, and Diabetes Leadership Council.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that remote patient monitoring for maternal hypertension and diabetes has been recognized as an effective strategy to improve health outcomes by enabling earlier detection of complications, supporting timely interventions, and reducing barriers to accessing care. Your Committee further finds that by leveraging remote patient monitoring technology, the Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program can help bridge gaps for those who face challenges in attending frequent in-person appointments, assisting pregnant and postpartum individuals living in rural areas or those with limited transportation. This measure will inform the development of comprehensive maternal health policies that can be scaled to benefit a broader population in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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. 1871, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1871, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair