Bill > SB1246

This bill directs the Hawaii Department of Health to purchase and store a one-year supply of mifepristone, a medication commonly used for medical abortions, by coordinating with local pharmacies. The bill is rooted in Hawaii's long-standing commitment to protecting individual privacy and reproductive rights, especially in light of the 2022 Supreme Court Dobbs decision which overturned federal abortion protections. The legislature recognizes that in-person abortion care is only available on Maui and Oahu, and that 63% of abortions are medication-based. By stockpiling approximately 1,000 doses of mifepristone (which has a five-year shelf life), Hawaii aims to ensure continued access to reproductive healthcare, following the lead of other states like California and New York that have enacted similar medication stockpiling measures. The bill appropriates funds for the purchase during the 2025-2026 fiscal year and is set to take effect on December 31, 2050, providing a long-term strategy to maintain reproductive healthcare access within the state's boundaries.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1246&year=2025