Bill > HB2161

This bill establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund, which will be administered by the University of Hawaii and funded through legislative appropriations, grants, donations, and a newly created pharmacist workforce assessment fee. This fee will be assessed on every license and permit issued by the board of pharmacy, including renewals for registered pharmacists, wholesale prescription drug distributors, and pharmacy permits. The purpose of this fund is to support the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy's efforts in assessing and planning for the state's pharmacist workforce, with a particular focus on recruiting and retaining pharmacists for rural and underserved areas. These efforts will include maintaining workforce data, identifying best practices, coordinating grants, developing team-based care models, and reporting annually to the legislature on pharmacy initiatives. The bill also clarifies that information specific to any pharmacist can only be disclosed with their explicit written consent and mandates that the director of commerce and consumer affairs will disburse all collected pharmacist workforce assessment fees to the special fund quarterly. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds for the initial establishment and ongoing operations of the special fund and sets an effective date of July 1, 3000.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2161&year=2026