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SB2865
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2865
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to hearing loss
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that hearing loss affects nearly two hundred sixteen thousand
Hawaii residents, including seventy-nine thousand residents who report deafness
or serious hearing difficulty.
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Unfortunately,
these conditions are likely to be underreported, and the true number of
individuals living with hearing loss is probably higher.
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The legislature further finds that hearing
loss disproportionately affects our kupuna.
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More specifically, hearing loss affects one in three individuals in
their sixties, two-thirds of those in their seventies, and more than eighty per
cent of individuals in their eighties.
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Among
kupuna, untreated hearing loss drives isolation, cognitive decline, dementia,
depression, and falls, creating costly social and healthcare impacts.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
require the department of health to develop and publish a state plan on hearing
loss.
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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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The department of health
shall develop and publish a state plan on hearing loss.
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At a minimum, the plan shall:
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(1)
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Propose
actions to minimize hearing loss and improve the early identification,
diagnosis, screening, and treatment of hearing loss;
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(2)
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Identify
common issues, unmet needs, and challenges faced by persons living with hearing
loss;
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(3)
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Propose
actions to develop new services, increase the level of existing services, or
take other actions necessary to address the issues, needs, and challenges
identified in paragraph (2); and
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(4)
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Address
any other matters the department determines to be appropriate.
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(b)
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No
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027, the
department of health shall submit an interim report to the legislature that
includes:
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(1)
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The
department's progress in developing the state plan on hearing loss pursuant to
subsection (a); and
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(2)
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Preliminary
findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.
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(c)
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No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session
of 2028, the department of health shall submit to the legislature and publish
on its website a final report that includes:
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(1)
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The
finalized state plan on hearing loss pursuant to subsection (a); and
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(2)
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Any
other findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.
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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Kupuna
Caucus; DOH; Hearing Loss; State Plan; Report to Legislature
Description:
Requires
the Department of Health to develop and publish a state plan on hearing
loss.
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Requires reports to the
Legislature prior to the 2027 and 2028 Regular Sessions.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.