Bill > HB816

This bill addresses the ongoing opioid crisis in Hawaii by expanding emergency medical technicians' (EMTs) ability to provide care during overdose responses. Specifically, the bill authorizes EMTs to administer buprenorphine (a medication that helps prevent withdrawal symptoms) after initially administering an opioid antagonist (a drug that reverses overdose effects) during an overdose emergency. The legislation requires the Department of Health to develop new rules classifying opioid overdoses as life-threatening emergencies, create standardized protocols for buprenorphine administration that align with national best practices, allocate resources for EMT training on the new procedure, and coordinate with emergency medical services providers. The bill is motivated by data showing Hawaii's rising overdose rates and evidence from other states demonstrating that providing buprenorphine can increase the likelihood of patients connecting with addiction treatment services and reduce the risk of repeated overdoses. By enabling EMTs to offer this additional intervention, the legislation aims to provide more comprehensive emergency care, potentially reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and support individuals struggling with opioid use disorder by creating a bridge to long-term treatment.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=816&year=2026