RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

SB2585

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2585

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to artificial intelligence
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that scientific evidence is essential for determining the
effectiveness of any program, policy, or intervention that promotes health and
well-being in specific settings and populations.
�
Interventions backed by strong scientific
evidence protect taxpayer interests by guiding the optimal allocation of public
funds to maximize positive outcomes and progress.
�
Evidence-based decision-making can improve
the health of all residents of the State by identifying strategies that work
for specific populations and detecting preventable differences in health
outcomes between groups.
�
The effective
use of evidence-based decision-making requires the systematic gathering,
evaluation, and synthesis of evidence from diverse sources, including
scientific studies, experimental data, expert opinions, and community
feedback.
�
Application of evidence from
various scientific disciplines can direct policymaking to well-tested programs
and practices shown to improve physical, behavioral, and mental health.

����
The legislature further finds that the
absence of a centralized, user-friendly, and continuously updated repository of
these programs inhibits the widespread adoption of proven treatment and
prevention strategies.
�
Artificial
intelligence and related machine learning technologies provide powerful tools
to enhance the evidence ecosystem by synthesizing complex scientific data,
identifying effective programs, and ensuring timely updates as new evidence
emerges.

����
The legislature also finds that legislative
efforts, including the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018
have created frameworks for evidence-building.
�

However, most government spending, domestically and internationally, is
not regularly guided by robust scientific evidence.
�
Existing online clearinghouses were initially
established to increase access to, and the utility of, evidence about what
works, but face challenges in user engagement, labor intensity, and adaptation
to innovation.
�
The legislature additionally
finds that these gaps are in areas that enhancement by artificial intelligence
may address.

����
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
require the department of health:

����
(1)
�
In
coordination with the department of budget and finance and office of enterprise
technology services, and department of human services, to establish and
maintain an online clearinghouse enhanced by artificial intelligence of
evidence-based treatment and prevention programs;

����
(2)
�
To
support the integration of artificial intelligence in the online clearinghouse;
and

����
(3)
�
To
ensure that any artificial intelligence model used in support of the online
clearinghouse is subject to regular audits.

����
SECTION 2.
�

The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be
appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"
Chapter

artificial
intelligence-enhanced online clearinghouse

����
� -1 Definitions.
�
For the purposes of this chapter:

����
"Artificial intelligence" means
any machine learning and related computational technology designed to augment
or expedite human decision-making, information gathering, review processes, and
translation of evidence into actionable knowledge.

����
"Cultural responsiveness" means
the extent to which a target population's ethnic and cultural characteristics,
experiences, norms, value, or behavioral patterns, including relevant
historical, environmental, and social forces are incorporated in the design,
delivery, and evaluation of targeted health promotion interventions.

����
"Department" means the department
of health.

����
"Evidence-based decision-making"
means the process of integrating the best available scientific evidence with
the expertise of a decision-maker, community needs, and the implementation
context to inform policy and funding choices.

����
"Implementation readiness" means
the degree to which an evidence-based intervention is available to be
implemented as designed and has the organizational capacity to provide
materials, training, and information for potential users to adopt and implement
the intervention with fidelity.

����
"Online clearinghouse" means the
publicly accessible, web-based repository established by the department of
health that synthesizes, evaluates, and disseminates evidence regarding the
effectiveness of interventions, programs, and policies, including
implementation procedures in the State.

����
� -2 Online
clearinghouse; functions; requirements.
�
(a)
�
The department, in coordination with the
department of budget and finance and office enterprise technology services, and
department of human services, shall establish and maintain an online
clearinghouse enhanced by artificial intelligence of evidence-based treatment
and prevention programs.
�
The online clearinghouse
shall be accessible to the public and provide resources for synthesizing the
effectiveness of behavioral, educational, health, and social interventions.

����
(b)
�
The
online clearinghouse shall:

����
(1)
�
Aggregate
and synthesize data from peer-reviewed studies, federal registries, research
organizations, and academic databases;

����
(2)
�
Utilize
artificial intelligence tools to continuously analyze and classify programs by
level of evidence, population served, implementation readiness, and cultural
responsiveness;

����
(3)
�
Provide
user-friendly, interactive, personalized search capabilities for stakeholders,
including educators, policymakers, and community organizations;

����
(4)
�
Include
a feedback mechanism to incorporate practitioner experience and local
implementation data;

����
(5)
�
Issue
artificial intelligence-generated recommendations according to geographic,
demographic, and sector-specific needs;

����
(6)
�
Provide,
where available, summaries of costs, training, and technical assistance
resources; and

����
(7)
�
Allow
for updates and cross-linking to scientifically vetted sources of relevant
information to support the assessment, implementation, and adaptation of
recommendations.

����
� -3 Online
clearinghouses; artificial intelligence; integration.
�
(a)
�
The
department shall support the development and integration of artificial
intelligence and related technologies into the online clearinghouse to:

����
(1)
�
Augment
human expertise in the screening, review, and organization of evidence;

����
(2)
�
Expedite
the review process for evaluation and literature;

����
(3)
�
Increase
the utility and interactivity of any clearinghouse for various end users;

����
(4)
�
Improve
relevance, usability, and broad access to evidence-based information for
communities, schools, agencies, funders, and policymakers; and

����
(5)
�
Guide
the user through an evidence-based protocol for the implementation of any
program.

����
(b)
�
The
online clearinghouse may serve as a model platform for the integration of
artificial intelligence to enhance the translational process and scaling of
evidence-based interventions; provided that the resultant artificial
intelligence-enhanced clearinghouse shall be applicable to a variety of other
issue areas amenable to evidence-based decision-making.

����
� -4 Interagency
coordination; public-private partnerships.
�

(a)
�
The department shall
collaborate with other state agencies, including but not limited to the
department of education, department of the attorney general, and department of
labor and industrial relations to ensure the comprehensive inclusion of
multi-sectoral programs.

����
(b)
�

The department shall encourage any public-private partnership involving
academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private artificial
intelligence developers to contribute to platform development, maintenance, and
evaluation.

����
� -5 Institutional
knowledge; evidence-based standards; implementation guidelines; intervention
reports.
�
(a)
�
The department shall develop and adopt
guidelines for the strengthening and preservation of the collective knowledge
and experience, research infrastructures, and evidence-based standards with
respect to the online clearinghouse and related activities.

����
(b)
�

The department shall consult with scientific experts and relevant
agencies and organizations to produce, update, and disseminate evidence
standards, implementation guidelines, and intervention reports.

����
� -6 Audits;
annual report.
�
(a)
�
The department shall ensure that any artificial
intelligence model used in support of the online clearinghouse shall be subject
to regular audits to ensure transparency, fairness, and mitigation of bias.

����
(b)
�

The department shall submit an annual report of its findings and
recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days
prior to the convening of each regular session.
�

The report shall detail:

����
(1)
�
The
status, effectiveness, and changes implemented in the online clearinghouse
under this chapter; and

����
(2)
�
Any
legislative or regulatory action necessary to enhance evidence-based
decision-making and research sustainability.

����
� -7 Rules.
�
The department shall adopt rules pursuant to
chapter 91 to carry out the purposes of this chapter."

����
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 for the establishment of
an artificial intelligence-enhanced online clearinghouse.

����
The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION 4.
�

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOH; BNF;
ETS; DHS; Online Clearinghouse; Artificial Intelligence; Audits; Annual Report;
Appropriation

Description:

Requires
the Department of Health
, in coordination with the Department of Budget
and Finance and Office of Enterprise Technology Services, and Department of
Human Services, to establish and maintain an online clearinghouse enhanced by
artificial intelligence of evidence-based treatment and prevention programs
.
�

Requires DOH
to support the integration of artificial
intelligence in the online clearinghouse.
�

Requires DOH to ensure that any artificial intelligence model used in
support of the online clearinghouse is subject to regular audits.
�
Requires an annual report to the
Legislature.
�
Appropriates funds.

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