STAND. COM. REP. NO. 366-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1898

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1898 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that the Department of Health is to presume the recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services constitute the prevailing medical standard for child health supervision services for purposes of health insurance coverage.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hep Free Hawaii; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General; Department of Health; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hawaii Medical Association; and Hawaii Medical Service Association.

Your Committee finds that recent changes to the immunization recommendations provided by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services differ significantly from established medical standards and practice, such as the immunization recommendations provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Your Committee also finds that insurance companies have only publicly committed to providing coverage of vaccines that were part of the Advisory Committee's recommendations made prior to September 2025 until the end of 2026. This measure provides a mechanism to ensure that the State's public health policy is built on the collective expertise of nationally recognized medical authorities and provides clarity and consistency for Hawaii families who must make choices regarding their care.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1898, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1898, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair