Bill > HB233

This bill establishes a state breast milk bank under the Department of Health, designed to help parents and guardians provide breast milk to their infant children. The Department of Health will be responsible for creating the breast milk bank and developing rules for its operation, including establishing eligibility criteria for entities that will administer the bank and setting standards for screening, processing, transporting, and distributing human breast milk. The bill creates a special breast milk bank fund that will be financed through user fees, potential federal grants, legislative appropriations, and accrued interest. The bank may charge reasonable fees for its services and will operate either directly through the Department of Health or by contracting with a qualified entity. The bill includes appropriations for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the bank's establishment and operation, with funds to be used specifically for running the state breast milk bank. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to provide a structured, regulated system for collecting and distributing breast milk to support infant nutrition and health.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=233&year=2026