HB1898 • 2026

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Children Healthcare Labor Taxes

Active

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

Sponsor: MATAYOSHI, AMATO, BELATTI, EVSLIN, GRANDINETTI, MARTEN, MORIKAWA, SAYAMA, TAKAYAMA, TAM, TARNAS
Last action: 2026-05-01
Official status: Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 5:38PM in Conference Room 329.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO HEALTH.

What This Bill Does

RELATING TO HEALTH.
DOH; Insurance; Preventive Services Coverage; Recommendations; Standing Orders; Child Health Supervision Services; Immunization; Prevailing Medical Standards; Pharmacists; EUTF Specifies that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations.
Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans established by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust to provide coverage for clinical preventive services.
Authorizes the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

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

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: HB1898 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1898 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1898 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH .

HD2

Hawaii published version HD2

Plain English: HB1898 HD2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1898 HD2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1898 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
2 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH .

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: HB1898 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1898 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1898 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
2 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

Bill History

2026-05-01 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 5:38PM in Conference Room 329.
2026-04-30 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 4:30PM in conference room 329.
2026-04-29 H
Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Thursday, 04-30-26 4:30PM in conference room 329.
2026-04-24 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 741).
2026-04-23 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; McKelvey, Rhoads, Moriwaki Co-Chairs; Fevella.
2026-04-20 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).
2026-04-20 H
House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Matayoshi, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Garcia.
2026-04-20 H
Re-referred to HLT, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 30
2026-04-17 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).
2026-04-16 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2026-04-14 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 640) in amended form (SD 1).
2026-04-14 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2026-04-10 S
One Day Notice 04-14-26.
2026-04-10 S
Reported from JDC/WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3780) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2026-04-08 S
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-08 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Fevella; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-06 S
The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-08-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-03-30 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC/WAM.
2026-03-30 S
Reported from HHS/CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3235) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.
2026-03-24 S
The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Lamosao, McKelvey; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-03-20 S
The committee(s) on CPN deferred the measure until 03-24-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2026-03-20 S
The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey.
2026-03-16 S
The committee(s) on HHS/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 03-20-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2026-03-12 S
Referred to HHS/CPN, JDC/WAM.
2026-03-12 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-03-12 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 316).
2026-03-10 H
Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Gedeon, Kila, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (8) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-03-06 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26.
2026-03-06 H
Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1069-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-03-03 H
The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Ichiyama, Kong, Lowen, Marten, Tam; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Iwamoto; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Pierick.
2026-02-27 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-18 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with Representative(s) Gedeon, Kila, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Pierick voting no (3) and none excused (0).
2026-02-18 H
Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 366-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
2026-02-11 H
The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi; Ayes with reservations: none; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia; and Excused: none.
2026-02-06 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Wednesday, 02-11-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-26 H
Referred to HLT, CPC, referral sheet 2
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO HEALTH.
DOH; Insurance; Preventive Services Coverage; Recommendations; Standing Orders; Child Health Supervision Services; Immunization; Prevailing Medical Standards; Pharmacists; EUTF
Specifies that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans established by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust to provide coverage for clinical preventive services. Authorizes the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations. Clarifies that, for coverage for child health supervision services, the prevailing medical standards include recommendations by the Department of Health. Specifies that coverage for clinical preventive services shall not be denied on the basis of medical necessity or subject to prior authorization. Specifies that a registered pharmacist may order a vaccine in accordance with the recommendations from the Department of Health. Exempts this measure from an Auditor impact assessment report. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1898

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1898

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to health
.

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

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature 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.
�
The legislature 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.
�

However, to protect the freedom of choice for the people of Hawaii to
comprehensively consider the full range of prevailing medical standards when it
comes to childhood immunization, there must be clarity regarding what their
insurance will cover.

����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to clarify that the department of health is to
presume both 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.

����
SECTION
2
.
�
Section 431:10A-115.5, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended to by amending subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows:

����
"(b)
�
Child health supervision services shall
include twelve visits at approximately the following intervals:
�
birth; two months; four months; six months;
nine months; twelve months; fifteen months; eighteen months; two years; three
years; four years; and five years.
�

Services to be covered at each visit shall include a history, physical
examination, developmental assessment, anticipatory guidance, immunizations,
and laboratory tests, in keeping with
the
prevailing medical [
standards.
]

standard.
�
For purposes of this
subsection, [
the term "prevailing medical standards"
]
"prevailing
medical standard"
means the recommendations of the Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human
Services and the American Academy of Pediatrics; provided that if the
recommendations of the committee and the academy differ, the department of
health shall [
determine which recommendations shall apply.
]
presume
that the recommendations of both the committee and the academy constitute the
prevailing medical standard.
�
The
department shall only deviate from this presumption to recommend more
comprehensive coverage or if the department finds, by clear and convincing
evidence, that a specific recommendation is not in the best interests of public
health.

����
(c)
�

Minimum benefits may be limited to one visit payable to one provider for
all of the services provided at each visit cited in this section, except that
the limitations authorized by this subsection shall not apply to immunizations
recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United
States Department of Health and Human Services and the American Academy of
Pediatrics; provided that if the recommendations of the committee and the
academy differ, the department of health shall [
determine which
recommendations shall apply

presume that the recommendations of both the
committee and the academy constitute the prevailing medical standard.
�
The department shall only deviate from this
presumption to recommend more comprehensive coverage or if the department
finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that a specific recommendation is not
in the best interests of public health.
"

����
SECTION
3
.
�
Section 431:10A-206.5, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows:

����
"(b)
�
Child health supervision services shall
include twelve visits at approximately the following intervals:
�
birth; two months; four months; six months;
nine months; twelve months; fifteen months; eighteen months; two years; three
years; four years; and five years.
�

Services to be covered at each visit shall include a history, physical
examination, developmental assessment, anticipatory guidance, immunizations,
and laboratory tests, in keeping with
the
prevailing medical [
standards.
]

standard.
�
For purposes of this
subsection, [
the term "prevailing medical standards"
]
"prevailing
medical standard"
means the recommendations of the Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human
Services and the American Academy of Pediatrics; provided that if the
recommendations of the committee and the academy differ, the department of
health shall [
determine which recommendations shall apply.
]
presume that
the recommendations of both the committee and the academy constitute the
prevailing medical standard.
�
The department
shall only deviate from this presumption to recommend more comprehensive
coverage or if the department finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that a
specific recommendation is not in the best interests of public health.

����
(c)
�

Minimum benefits may be limited to one visit payable to one provider for
all of the services provided at each visit cited in this section, except that
the limitations authorized by this subsection shall not apply to immunizations
recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United
States Department of Health and Human Services and the American Academy of
Pediatrics; provided that if the recommendations of the committee and the
academy differ, the department of health shall [
determine which
recommendations shall apply.
]
presume that the recommendations of both
the committee and the academy constitute the prevailing medical standard.
�
The department shall only deviate from this
presumption to recommend more comprehensive coverage or if the department
finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that a specific recommendation is not
in the best interests of public health.
"

����
SECTION
4
.
�
Section 432:1-602.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended by amending subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows:

����
"(b)
�
Child health supervision services shall
include twelve visits at approximately the following intervals:
�
birth; two months; four months; six months;
nine months; twelve months; fifteen months; eighteen months; two years; three
years; four years; and five years.
�

Services to be covered at each visit shall include a history, physical
examination, developmental assessment, anticipatory guidance, immunizations,
and laboratory tests, in keeping with
the
prevailing medical [
standards.
]

standard.
�
For purposes of this
subsection, [
the term "prevailing medical standards"
]
"prevailing
medical standard"
means the recommendations of the Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human
Services and the American Academy of Pediatrics; provided that if the
recommendations of the committee and the academy differ, the department of
health shall [
determine which recommendations shall apply.
]
presume
that the recommendations of both the committee and the academy constitute the
prevailing medical standard.
�
The department
shall only deviate from this presumption to recommend more comprehensive
coverage or if the department finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that a
specific recommendation is not in the best interests of public health.

����
(c)
�

Minimum benefits may be limited to one visit payable to one provider for
all of the services provided at each visit cited in this section, except that
the limitations authorized by this subsection shall not apply to immunizations
recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United
States Department of Health and Human Services and the American Academy of
Pediatrics; provided that if the recommendations of the committee and the
academy differ, the department of health shall [
determine which
recommendations shall apply.
]
presume that the recommendations of both
the committee and the academy constitute the prevailing medical standard.
�
The department shall only deviate from this
presumption to recommend more comprehensive coverage or if the department
finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that a specific recommendation is not
in the best interests of public health.
"

����
SECTION 5.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

����
SECTION 6.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Department
of Health; Child Health Supervision Services; Immunization; Prevailing Medical
Standard; Recommendations

Description:

Clarifies
that the Department of Health is to presume both 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.

The summary description
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