Bill > HB1333

This bill modifies Section 436E-1 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to explicitly recognize acupuncture practitioners as essential health care providers. The legislation amends the existing statutory language that already acknowledges acupuncture as a method for treating illness, disability, and strengthening the body. By adding the phrase "recognized as essential health care providers," the bill emphasizes the important role of acupuncture practitioners in the broader healthcare system. The bill affirms the legislature's previous finding that acupuncture practice impacts public health, safety, and welfare, and therefore requires appropriate regulation and professional oversight. The change is relatively minor but symbolically significant, potentially elevating the status of acupuncture practitioners in the state's healthcare framework. The bill will take effect immediately upon approval, and it makes no other substantive changes to existing law beyond this linguistic modification.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1333&year=2026