Bill > SB101

This bill addresses the physician shortage in Hawaii by requiring graduates of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine who paid in-state tuition to serve as physicians in the state for at least two consecutive years following their medical residency or fellowship, beginning with the class of 2029. Specifically, the bill mandates that students who benefited from lower resident tuition rates (which are significantly subsidized by state funds) must work in Hawaii within five years after completing their medical training. If graduates do not fulfill this service requirement, they will be required to reimburse the state for the difference between resident and non-resident tuition fees. The legislation provides some flexibility through an extenuating circumstances clause, allowing the medical school's dean to grant exemptions or extensions under special conditions. The University of Hawaii will be responsible for monitoring compliance, potentially contracting with external entities to enforce the requirements, and must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing graduates' progress in meeting the service commitment. The underlying motivation is to address Hawaii's significant physician shortage and ensure that state-subsidized medical education translates into direct healthcare benefits for the local community.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=101&year=2026