Hawai‘i Women’s Legislative Caucus Bills Signed into Law

Hawaii State Legislature photo.

Governor David Ige has signed several measures into law that support families who use childcare services, women’s healthcare, and prevention initiatives for the growing opioid abuse epidemic.

The three laws were part of a package of bills submitted by the Hawai‘i Women’s Legislative Caucus (WLC). The Legislature also adopted an additional resolution, HCR 158, to encourage the continuation and expansion of community-based work furlough programs to help female inmates transition back into society.

“I’m pleased the Governor joins us in striving to make our state stronger by supporting women and families,” said Sen. Rosalyn Baker (S Dist. 6 – South and West Maui) and WLC co-convener. “It’s a joy to work alongside these women legislators who consider the health, safety and well-being of the women and families of our state as a priority.”

WLC is a bipartisan organization that includes female legislators in the House and Senate, as well as the County level who support plans to improve the lives of women, children and families in Hawai‘i.

“We are a caucus that is persistent,” said Rep. Della Au Bellati (H Dist. 24 – Makiki, Tantalus, McCully, Pawa‘a, Mānoa) and WLC co-convener. “We not only passed bills, we also passed key resolutions that really build upon the collaboration of state, county and community stakeholders. Signing the bill is just one thing, we now have to implement these measures. So, by partnering with our department agencies and folks within the communities, we make sure these bills actually deliver on the policies we put in place.”

The House and Senate bills signed by the governor include:

• SB505 SD1 HD2 CD1 (Act 66) Relating to Health
  Requires prescribing healthcare providers to adopt and maintain policies for informed consent to opioid therapy in circumstances that carry elevated risk of dependency. Establishes limits for concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions. Clarifies Board of Nursing authority to enforce compliance with Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Repeals 6/30/2023.
• SB513 SD1 HD2 CD1 (Act 67) Relating to Contraceptive Supplies
  Authorizes pharmacists to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptive supplies to patients regardless of a previous prescription, subject to specified education and procedural requirements. Enables pharmacists to be reimbursed for prescribing and dispensing contraceptive supplies.
• SB514 SD1 HD1 CD1 (Act 68) Relating to Health
  Authorizes pharmacists to administer the human papillomavirus, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), meningococcal, or influenza vaccine to persons between 11 and 17 years of age. Specifies requirements pharmacists must meet prior to administering the human papillomavirus, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), meningococcal, or influenza vaccine.