RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.

Budget Labor

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: TAM, AMATO, BELATTI, GRANDINETTI, ICHIYAMA, ILAGAN, IWAMOTO, KILA, KITAGAWA, KUSCH, MARTEN, MATAYOSHI, MIYAKE, MORIKAWA, OLDS, PERRUSO, POEPOE, REYES ODA, SOUZA, TAKAYAMA, TEMPLO
Last action: 2026-02-19
Official status: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details about the amount of funds appropriated.

Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program

This bill establishes a program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to recognize businesses that support people with dementia.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program in the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
Requires businesses to complete training on dementia awareness to be recognized as 'dementia-friendly'.
Provides businesses with a badge for their website and a decal or sticker for their physical location if they are certified by the program.
Publishes a list of recognized businesses on the department's website.
Appropriates funds for the establishment and administration of the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program.

Who It Names or Affects

Businesses in Hawaii that want to be recognized as dementia-friendly.
People with dementia and their families who can use the list of certified businesses.
The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism which will manage the program.

Terms To Know

Dementia: A condition that affects memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform everyday activities.
Certified Business Logo: A special logo given to businesses that complete dementia training and are recognized by the Hawaii Dementia Initiative program.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much money will be appropriated for the program.
It is unclear when exactly the program will start, as it requires further action before becoming effective on July 1, 2026.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment establishes a Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to promote awareness about dementia in businesses.

Creates a new program called the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the department.
Businesses can apply through the department's website to become recognized as dementia-friendly or champions.
Eighty-five percent of employees must complete one-hour training sessions for recognition under the program.
Recognized businesses receive badges and decals to display their certification.

The exact amount of funding appropriated is not specified in the amendment text provided.

Bill History

2026-02-19 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
2026-02-19 H
Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 507-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2026-02-04 H
The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-01-30 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Wednesday, 02-04-26 10:00AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-26 H
Referred to ECD, FIN, referral sheet 1
2026-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-16 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.
DBEDT; Executive Office on Aging; Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program; Appropriation ($)
Establishes the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to collaborate with the Executive Office on Aging to implement the program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1589

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1589

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the department of business, economic development, and tourism
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are not
only detrimental to residents of the State but also affect businesses, economic
growth, and visitors to Hawaii.

����
Creating a dementia-friendly business
environment would greatly enhance the quality of life for those living with
dementia and for their caregivers, while also demonstrating that this is not
just a health issue, but also an economic and community development priority.

����
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
establish a business recognition program within the department of business,
economic development, and tourism to promote brain health awareness in the
business community and provide knowledge on the harmful effects of not only
Alzheimer's disease, but all forms of dementia, to better serve and support
customers while creating a dementia-capable workforce.

����
SECTION 2.
�

Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section
to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

����
"
�201-
��
��
Hawaii
dementia initiative business recognition program.
�
(a)
�
There is established within the department
the Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program to promote among
the business community awareness of Alzheimer's disease and dementia and to promote
a dementia-capable workforce.

����
(b)
�
The program shall be accessible through the
department's website, where businesses may apply to become recognized as
dementia-friendly.

����
(c)
�
Businesses that apply shall receive a list of
approved organizations that provide dementia training for employees.
�
All current employees shall complete a
one-hour training session to qualify the business as dementia-friendly.

����
(d)
�
Upon completing the training under subsection
(c), a business shall receive:

����
(1)
�
Access
to a badge for the website of the business, indicating that the business is certified
by the Hawaii dementia initiative as dementia-friendly; and

����
(2)
�
A
decal or sticker of the Hawaii dementia initiative certified business logo to
place at the physical location of the business.

����
(e)
�
The department shall publish a list of
recognized businesses on its website for access by individuals living with
dementia and their families.

����
(f)
�
The department may also promote the program
and the list of Hawaii dementia initiative-certified businesses through various
media to further incentivize business participation.
"

����
SECTION 3.
�

There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $
���������
or so much thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish and administer the Hawaii
dementia initiative business recognition program.

����
The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes
of this Act.

����
SECTION 4.
�

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DBEDT; Hawaii
Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department
of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
�

Appropriates moneys.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.