RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Children Crime Healthcare Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: KAPELA, AMATO, BELATTI, GRANDINETTI, HARTSFIELD, HASHEM, ICHIYAMA, ILAGAN, KAHALOA, KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY, KILA, KUSCH, LA CHICA, LOWEN, MARTEN, MATAYOSHI, MORIKAWA, OLDS, PERRUSO, POEPOE, SAYAMA, SOUZA, TAKAYAMA, TAKENOUCHI, TAM, TARNAS, TEMPLO
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: Transmitted to Governor.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The specific penalties and fines were removed from the summary because they are detailed in the bill text.

Health Care Facility Protection Act

This act makes it illegal to interfere with people's access to health care facilities or disrupt their normal operations, setting penalties as petty misdemeanors.

What This Bill Does

Makes it against the law to block someone from entering or leaving a health care facility.
Sets fines and jail time for those who break this rule.
Allows affected individuals or entities to sue in court for damages.
Gives the Attorney General power to stop violators through legal action.

Who It Names or Affects

People seeking or providing healthcare services
Health care facilities and their employees

Terms To Know

Aggrieved party: A person who is physically present at a health care facility whose access has been obstructed or disrupted.
Petty misdemeanor: A minor criminal offense that carries less severe penalties than other crimes.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not apply to labor demonstrations or strikes.
The full impact of the law on healthcare operations is unclear until it takes effect and is enforced.

Amendments

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

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: The amendment adds a new chapter to Hawaii Revised Statutes that prohibits interference with health care facilities and establishes penalties for violations.

Adds definitions for terms such as 'aggrieved party' and 'health care facility'.
Prohibits individuals from interfering with access to or normal functioning of health care facilities, including physical obstruction and threatening behavior.
Establishes criminal penalties ranging from fines and imprisonment for first offenses to higher penalties for subsequent offenses.
Allows aggrieved parties to file civil suits for damages and injunctive relief.

The amendment text does not specify the exact enforcement mechanisms or procedures in detail, which may be clarified later.

HD2

Hawaii published version HD2

Plain English: The amendment adds a new chapter to Hawaii Revised Statutes that prohibits interference with health care facilities and establishes penalties for violations.

Adds definitions for terms such as 'aggrieved party', 'health care facility', and 'health care provider'.
Prohibits individuals from interfering with access to or normal functioning of a health care facility, including physical obstruction, repeated disruptive calls, and threats.
Establishes criminal penalties ranging from fines and imprisonment for first offenses to higher penalties for subsequent violations.
Allows aggrieved parties to seek civil remedies in court, including injunctions and damages.

The amendment text is incomplete and does not provide a complete chapter title or full enforcement details.
It's unclear how the new provisions will interact with existing federal and state laws on expressive conduct.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: The amendment adds a new chapter to Hawaii Revised Statutes that prohibits interference with health care facilities and establishes penalties for violations.

Adds definitions for terms such as 'aggrieved party', 'health care facility', and 'health care provider'.
Prohibits individuals from interfering with access to or normal functioning of a health care facility, including physical obstruction, repeated disruptive calls, and threats.
Establishes criminal penalties ranging from fines and imprisonment for first offenses to higher penalties for subsequent violations.
Allows aggrieved parties to file civil suits for damages and injunctive relief.

The amendment text does not specify all the details of enforcement procedures or exact definitions, which may be found in referenced sections of existing statutes.

Bill History

2026-04-24 S
Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 823).
2026-04-23 H
Transmitted to Governor.
2026-04-23 H
Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 1 with Representative(s) Hussey voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Iwamoto, Kong, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (10) and Representative(s) Evslin excused (1).
2026-04-23 H
House agrees to Senate amendment(s).
2026-04-23 S
Received notice of House reconsideration of action in disagreeing to the amendments proposed by the Senate (Hse. Com. No. 815).
2026-04-22 H
Reconsideration of action taken on 04-16-26.
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. 645) in amended form (SD 1).
2026-04-14 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 21; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 4 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, Gabbard). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2026-04-10 S
One Day Notice 04-14-26.
2026-04-10 S
Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3753) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2026-04-07 S
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Gabbard; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.
2026-04-01 S
The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-07-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
2026-03-25 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
2026-03-25 S
Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3168) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
2026-03-18 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, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Fevella; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-03-13 S
The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-26 1:00PM; CR 225 & Videoconference.
2026-03-12 S
Referred to HHS, JDC.
2026-03-12 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-03-12 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 327).
2026-03-10 H
Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Gedeon, Kong, 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 JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1152-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-02-24 H
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Shimizu; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Hashem, Garcia.
2026-02-20 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 02-24-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-17 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Gedeon, Matsumoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (5) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lee, M., Poepoe excused (3).
2026-02-17 H
Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 308-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2026-02-06 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.
2026-02-03 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Friday, 02-06-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-28 H
Referred to HLT, JHA, referral sheet 3
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.
Health Care Facilities; Interference; Disruption; Criminal Penalties; Civil Remedies; Attorney General
Prohibits persons from interfering with another person's access to or from a health care facility or disrupting the normal functioning of a health care facility. Makes violations a petty misdemeanor. Establishes a private right of action. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action for injunctive or other equitable relief. (SD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1961

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1961

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to health care
.

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

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that safe
access to health care services is vital for the health and safety of all
residents of the State.
�
Individuals
seeking or providing health care should be able to access health care
facilities without fear, intimidation, or any form of harassment.
�
The legislature therefore declares that
interference with health care facilities should be prohibited and subject to civil
and criminal penalties.

����
The
purpose of this Act is to protect safe and unobstructed access to health care
for patients and their providers by prohibiting persons from interfering with
another person's access to a health care facility and establishing civil and
criminal penalties for violations.

����
SECTION
2.
�
The Hawaii Revised Statutes is
amended by adding a new chapter to title 19 to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

"
Chapter

interference with Health care facilities

����
�
323-
�
Definitions.
�
For the purposes of this chapter:

����
"Aggrieved
party" means:

����
(1)
�
A person who is physically present at a health
care facility whose access is or is about to be obstructed or impeded by
another person's intentional, knowing, or reckless interference;

����
(2)
�
A person who is physically present at a health
care facility whose care is or is about to be disrupted by another person's intentional,
knowing, or reckless interference;

����
(3)
�
A health care facility and its employees or
agents; and

����
(4)
�
The owner of a health care facility or the
building or property upon which the health care facility is located.

����
"Health
care facility" or "facility" has the same meaning as in section
323D-2 and includes any buildings or structures in which the facility is
located and any associated driveway.

����
"Health
care facility employee" means an officer, director, employee, or agent of
a health care facility.

����
"Health
care provider" has the same meaning as in section 671-1.

����
�323-
�
Interference with health care facilities
prohibited; exception.
�
(a)
�

Except as otherwise provided under federal or state law, it shall be
unlawful for any person, alone or in concert, to intentionally, knowingly, or
recklessly interfere with another person's access to or from a health care
facility or intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly disrupt the normal
functioning of a health care facility by:

����
(1)
�
Physically obstructing or impeding the free
passage of another person seeking to enter or depart from the facility or from
the common areas of the real property on which the facility is located;

����
(2)
�
Making or causing a noise that unreasonably
disturbs the peace within the facility or that constitutes a violation of
section 342F-30;

����
(3)
�
Trespassing on the facility or the common
areas of the real property upon which the facility is located;

����
(4)
�
Making or causing repeated telephone calls to
a person, including a health care facility employee or health care provider, or
a health care facility with the intent to impede access to the person's or
health care facility's telephone lines or otherwise disrupt the person's or
health care facility's activities; or

����
(5)
�
Threatening to inflict injury on the owners,
agents, patients, employees, or property of the health care facility.

����
(b)
�
This section shall not apply to actions taken
as part of a labor demonstration or when exercising the right to strike.

����
�323-
�
Criminal penalties.
�

(a)
�
In addition to any
other penalties, any person who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
violates this part, whether alone or in concert, shall be guilty of a petty
misdemeanor and shall be punished as follows:

����
(1)
�
For a first offense, a fine of no less than
$250 and a term of imprisonment of at least twenty-four consecutive hours;

����
(2)
�
For a second offense, a fine of no less than
$750 and a term of imprisonment of at least seven consecutive days; and

����
(3)
�
For a third or subsequent offense, a fine of
no less than $1,000 and a term of imprisonment of no more than thirty
consecutive days.

����
(b)
�
A court having jurisdiction in a criminal
proceeding under this chapter shall take all reasonably necessary steps to
safeguard the individual privacy of an aggrieved party and prevent harassment
of a patient, health care provider, or health care facility employee who is a
party or witness to a proceeding, including grating protective orders and
motions in limine.

����
(c)
�
For the purposes of this section,
"person" means a person eighteen years of age or older.

����
�323-
�
Civil remedies
.
�
(a)
�
Any aggrieved party may bring a civil suit
against a person or persons who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
violated this chapter in the district court of the district in which the
violation took place to enjoin further violations and recover actual damages
sustained.
�
The aggrieved party shall not
be required to allege or prove actual damages to prevail.

����
(b)
�
The court may, in its discretion, increase
the award of damages to an amount not to exceed $500, or $5,000 if the
aggrieved party is a health care facility, for each day of continued
violation.
�
The court may, in its
discretion and subject to all applicable federal and state laws, regulations,
and rules, issue injunctive relief without bond.

����
(c)
�
In any action brought under this section, the
prevailing party shall be entitled to the recovery of costs of the suit,
including court costs and fees and reasonable attorney's fees.

����
(d)
�
A court having jurisdiction in a criminal
proceeding under this chapter shall take all reasonably necessary steps to
safeguard the individual privacy of an aggrieved party and prevent harassment
of a patient, health care provider, or health care facility employee who is a
party or witness to a proceeding, including grating protective orders and motions
in limine.

����
(e)
�
The attorney general may bring an action in a
court of competent jurisdiction for appropriate injunctive or other equitable
relief against any person who is reasonably believed to violate or who is in
the course of violating this chapter.

����
�323-
�
Enforcement
.
�
Enforcement
of this chapter shall be under the concurrent jurisdiction of the attorney
general, the prosecuting attorneys or deputy prosecuting attorneys of the
various counties, and the police departments of the various counties.

����
�323-
�
Remedies and penalties not exclusive.
�
The penalties and remedies provided in this
chapter with respect to any violation of this chapter shall not be deemed
exclusive of each other or of any other civil or criminal rights, remedies, or
penalties provided or allowed by law with respect to any violation."

����
SECTION 3.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Health
Care Facilities; Interference; Disruption; Petty Misdemeanor; Private Right of
Action; Civil Remedies; Criminal Penalties; Attorney General

Description:

Prohibits
persons from interfering with another person's access to or from a health care
facility or disrupting the normal functioning of a health care facility.
�
Makes violations a petty misdemeanor.
�
Establishes a private right of action for
individuals and health care facilities harmed as a result of interference with a
health care facility.
�
Authorizes the
Attorney General to bring an action for injunctive or other equitable relief.

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