summary
Introduced
01/26/2026
01/26/2026
In Committee
01/26/2026
01/26/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Requires each hospital to establish a Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Committee by 9/1/2026. Requires the Staffing Committee to adopt and file a Staffing Committee Charter with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations by 1/1/2027. Requires the Department to develop a Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Plan Form by 1/1/2027. Requires each Staffing Committee to adopt and file a Staffing Plan, including minimum registered nurse staffing standards, with the Department by 7/1/2027, and annually thereafter. Requires hospitals to implement their Staffing Plan by 7/1/2027, and post the Staffing Plan and staffing schedules in publicly accessible areas. Requires Staffing Committees to receive, review, evaluate, and respond to reports and complaints regarding deviations from the Staffing Plan. Establishes a variance process allowing hospitals to temporarily deviate from their minimum registered nurse staffing standards. Establishes an enforcement framework to be administered by the Department, including review of Staffing Plans, complaint investigations, administrative appeals, and civil penalties for violations. Prohibits retaliation against certain persons who report staffing concerns or participate in enforcement proceedings. Increases the membership of the Center for Nursing Advisory Board to include three elected officers or governing board members of a labor organization representing registered nurses in the State. Requires the Center for Nursing to develop and maintain an online dashboard of staffing standards recommended by certain professional specialty organizations. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Appropriates funds.
AI Summary
This bill requires hospitals to establish Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Committees by September 1, 2026, which will then develop and adopt a Staffing Committee Charter by January 1, 2027, and file it with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR). The DLIR will create a form for Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Plans, which each committee must adopt and file, including minimum registered nurse (RN) staffing standards, by July 1, 2027, and annually thereafter. Hospitals must implement these plans and post them along with staffing schedules in public areas, and the committees will handle complaints about deviations from these plans. A process for temporary variances from minimum RN staffing standards is established, and the DLIR will administer an enforcement framework including plan reviews, investigations, appeals, and civil penalties for violations, while also prohibiting retaliation against those who report staffing concerns. Additionally, the Center for Nursing Advisory Board will be expanded to include representatives from RN labor organizations, and the Center for Nursing will maintain an online dashboard of recommended staffing standards from professional specialty organizations to aid in the development of hospital staffing plans. The bill also appropriates funds for the implementation and enforcement of these provisions.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (19)
Terez Amato (D)*,
Tina Grandinetti (D)*,
Mark Hashem (D)*,
Ikaika Hussey (D)*,
Greggor Ilagan (D)*,
Kirstin Kahaloa (D)*,
Jeanné Kapela (D)*,
Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D)*,
Darius Kila (D)*,
Matthias Kusch (D)*,
Nicole Lowen (D)*,
Lisa Marten (D)*,
Ikaika Olds (D)*,
Amy Perruso (D)*,
Mahina Poepoe (D)*,
Sean Quinlan (D)*,
David Tarnas (D)*,
Chris Todd (D)*,
Justin Woodson (D)*,
Last Action
Referred to HLT/LAB, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2 (on 01/26/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1865&year=2026 |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1865_.HTM |
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