Bill > HR109

This resolution requests the Director of Health to establish a Water Fluoridation Working Group to address oral health challenges in Hawaii, given the state's poor oral health ratings and lack of fluoride in public water systems. The working group would include representatives from water supply departments of Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii counties, with the Director of Health (or designee) serving as chairperson. The group's primary objectives are to collaborate on best practices for fluoridating drinking water, identify and address obstacles to implementation, and submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by late 2025. The working group is requested to dissolve on June 30, 2026, after delivering its report, with the broader goal of promoting public oral health through water fluoridation, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers safe and cost-effective. The resolution stems from concerns about limited dental care insurance and poor oral health outcomes in the state.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=109&year=2025