Bill > HB1102

This bill modifies Hawaii's existing medical records retention law by removing the requirement that healthcare providers must obtain explicit approval from the Department of Health when creating arrangements to preserve medical records before ceasing operations. The bill recognizes that healthcare providers already have robust internal policies, external accreditation requirements, and federal regulations (such as those from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) that ensure proper medical record retention. Specifically, the legislation amends Section 622-58 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to eliminate the Department of Health's pre-approval role while maintaining the existing requirements that healthcare providers or their successors must preserve basic medical record information for 25 years after the last entry (or for minors, during their minority plus 25 years after reaching majority). The new language simply requires that record retention arrangements be "consistent with federal and state regulations" instead of needing direct departmental approval. The bill aims to reduce bureaucratic oversight while ensuring that medical records are still properly maintained and preserved.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1102&year=2026