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SB764
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
764
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to physician sHORTAGE
.
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 the State's physician shortage is partially driven by
the structure and cost of its medical licensing process.
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The State's licensing fees are among the
highest in the United States with costs exceeding $1,000 for initial licensure
and ongoing renewal fees that burden many physicians, especially newer
physicians with significant student loan debt.
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The legislature further finds that out-of-state physicians face
additional economic obstacles in obtaining a physician license when relocating
to the State, often involving extra steps not required in states with
reciprocal agreements.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
address barriers within the State's medical licensing process for physicians by
establishing a one-year pilot program to provide subsidized licensing fees for
new and out-of-state physicians applying for initial licensure in the State.
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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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There is established a
physician licensing subsidy pilot program within the professional and
vocational licensing division of the department of commerce and consumer
affairs to provide subsidized licensing fees for new and out‑of‑state
physicians applying for initial licensure in the State.
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(b)
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The pilot program shall establish a subsidized licensing fee structure
for physicians applying for initial licensure in the State.
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To be eligible for the pilot program,
applicants shall be a person who has passed and has been found to possess the
necessary qualifications pursuant to section 453‑4, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, or out-of-state physician applying for physician licensure in the
State for the first time.
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(c)
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The subsidized licensing fee structure established for the purposes of
the pilot program shall reduce the total licensing fees for eligible applicants
applying for a doctor of medicine license in the State to an amount not to
exceed one‑half of the total licensing fees assessed for applicants
without the subsidy.
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(d)
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The
department of commerce and consumer affairs shall collaborate with the
department of health, university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine,
and other physician recruitment stakeholders to promote the pilot program.
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(e)
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The department of commerce and consumer affairs shall adopt rules without
regard to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, necessary for the purposes of this
pilot program.
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(f)
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The department of commerce and consumer affairs shall submit a report of
its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, regarding
the pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular session of 2026.
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The report shall include at minimum, the number of individuals who
applied for the subsidized licensing fee, number of applicants granted the
subsidized licensing fee; and number of applicants who were granted the subsidized
licensing fee that obtained a doctor of medicine license in the State.
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(g)
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The pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2026.
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SECTION 3.
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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 2025-2026 for the establishment
and administration of the physician licensing subsidy pilot program.
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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the department of commerce and consumer
affairs for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
PVLD;
DCCA; Department of Health; JABSOM; Physician Shortage; Physician Licensing
Subsidy; Pilot Program; Rules; Report; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
a 1-year Physician Licensing Subsidy Pilot Program within the Professional and Vocational
Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to
provide subsidized licensing fees for eligible medical school graduates and
out-of-state physicians applying for initial licensure in the State.
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Requires the Department of Commerce and
Consumer Affairs to collaborate with the Department of Health, University of
Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, and other stakeholders to promote the
pilot program; adopt rules; and submit a report to the Legislature.
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Appropriates funds.
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Sunsets 6/30/2026.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.