Bill > HB866

This bill requires the Hawaii Department of Health to stockpile mifepristone, a medication commonly used for medical abortions, in a quantity of at least a one-year supply statewide. The legislation is motivated by recent changes in the national legal landscape surrounding reproductive rights, including the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision which overturned Roe v. Wade. The bill highlights that abortion care is currently only available in-person on Maui and Oahu, and that 63% of abortions are accomplished through oral medication. To support the state's commitment to protecting reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, the bill appropriates $75,000 for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to purchase the medication, which has a five-year shelf life. The bill draws inspiration from other states like California and New York that have similar medication stockpiling strategies, and it emphasizes Hawaii's long-standing tradition of protecting individual privacy and reproductive rights, dating back to being the first state to legalize abortion in 1970. The legislation aims to ensure continued access to reproductive healthcare services within the state's boundaries, regardless of potential federal or interstate legal challenges.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=866&year=2026