Bill > SB1516

This bill establishes an Oral Health Task Force within Hawaii's Department of Health to address significant gaps in the state's oral health infrastructure. The task force will be composed of 21 members from various state agencies, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and community advocates, representing a comprehensive approach to oral health issues. The task force's primary responsibilities include reviewing oral health data, analyzing systemic challenges, developing a strategic blueprint for improving oral health, and making recommendations to state and county policymakers. To support this effort, the bill appropriates $200,000 to hire a consultant and creates a new full-time program specialist V position within the Department of Health to collect and analyze oral health information, serve as a liaison with the Hawaii Oral Health Coalition, and provide oversight for the task force's work. The bill highlights existing challenges in Hawaii's oral health system, such as limited dental care access for Medicaid adults, insufficient dental clinics outside of Honolulu, and a lack of dedicated oral health staff. The task force is required to submit an interim report before the 2026 legislative session and a final report before the 2028 session, after which the task force will be dissolved. By addressing these systemic issues, the bill aims to improve oral health equity and infrastructure across the state.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1516&year=2026