STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2588

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3192

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 Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3192 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE LICENSURE WAIVERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the waiver of certain healthcare worker licensure requirements during emergencies; and

(2) Require an annual report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from ATA Action, Hawaiʻi-American Nurses Association, American Red Cross, AlohaCare, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, and eight individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that natural disasters and health care emergencies, such as epidemics and pandemics, place significant strain on health care systems. This strain often results in widespread workforce shortages for health care professionals, which in turn interrupt access to health services. Your Committee further finds that polices allowing waivers to health care professionals under certain conditions are increasingly common. Over twenty other states have recognized the challenges that natural disasters and emergencies present and have adopted similar legislation to maintain access to health care services for their residents. Given the State's geographic isolation, maintaining health care access during disasters and emergencies can be exceptionally challenging, making waivers even more important than in other jurisdictions. By granting waivers to volunteer health care professionals under emergency conditions, this measure will promote the health and safety of the State's residents.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 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 Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3192, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3192, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

________________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair