This Week in Hawai'i
from Hawaii Family Forum, Feb 27, 2026
HB 1875 HD1 Update – Passed JHA
HB 1875 HD1 expands Hawaiʻi’s existing shield law to include ‘gender-affirming’ medical interventions and adds protections related to out-of-state investigations, insurer actions, and certain legal claims.
HB 1875 HD1 was heard on Tuesday, February 24th, by the House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs (JHA). Following testimony and discussion, the committee recommended that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.
The vote was as follows:
- 7 Ayes: Representatives Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama
- 1 No: Representative Shimizu
- 2 Excused: Representatives Hashem, Garcia
No members voted with reservations.
Testimony for this hearing leaned heavily in support of the bill, with many medical professionals and advocacy voices urging passage and emphasizing provider protections and patient privacy. Hawaii Family Forum testified in opposition. A smaller but principled group of testifiers raised concerns about parental rights, medical accountability, and the breadth of the legal shield being created. I recognized many familiar names among those who took time to respectfully raise their voices, and we are grateful for citizens who continue to engage thoughtfully in the legislative process.
As is often the case on culturally sensitive issues, participation patterns reflected the intensity of organized advocacy on one side of the debate. Nevertheless, meaningful concerns were placed on the record regarding the long-term implications of expanding legal protections around these procedures.
The bill now advances to the full House for floor consideration. We will continue to follow this closely and provide updates as it moves forward.
HB1875: Text, Status
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HB 1961 HD1 Update – Passed JHA
HB 1961 HD1 creates a new criminal offense for interfering with access to a health care facility, includes mandatory jail time for violations, and establishes a private right of action allowing lawsuits by facilities, employees, property owners, or patients.
HB 1961 HD1 was heard on Tuesday, February 24th, by the House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs (JHA). After testimony and member discussion, the committee voted to recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.
The vote was as follows:
- 7 Ayes: Representatives Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama
- 1 No: Representative Shimizu
- 2 Excused: Representatives Hashem, Garcia
No members voted with reservations.
Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of the bill, with healthcare providers, labor representatives, and progressive advocacy organizations emphasizing the need to prevent harassment and ensure unobstructed access to medical facilities. Hawaiʻi Family Forum submitted testimony in opposition, expressing concern that while violence and obstruction are already illegal, this bill creates an additional criminal offense that includes mandatory jail time and expands civil liability — potentially affecting peaceful, faith-based public expression near certain facilities.
The discussion reflects a broader policy tension between safeguarding access to care and protecting constitutional freedoms in the public square. Although the bill’s effective date has been delayed to allow further conversation, it still establishes a new petty misdemeanor offense and authorizes both private lawsuits and Attorney General enforcement.
HB 1961 HD1 now moves to the full House for floor consideration. We will continue to follow this measure closely and keep you informed as it advances.
HB1961: Text, Status
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LEGISLATIVE DEADLINES:
MAR 5 SINGLE REFERRAL FILING DEADLINE (SBS) – Deadline for Senate Bills referred to a single committee to be heard and filed.
MAR 6 FIRST DECKING (BILLS) – Deadline for bills to emerge from all their committees (with committee reports filed) and be submitted to the clerk of the originating chamber. This “decking” ensures a mandatory 48-hour opportunity for final review by the chamber’s members before being asked to vote on the third reading. Note: A bill must pass three readings (votes) in each chamber before being enrolled to the Governor.
MAR 12 FIRST CROSSOVER (BILLS) – Deadline for bills to pass third reading in order to move (or “crossover”) to the other chamber. If successful, House bills are sent to the Senate and Senate bills are sent to the House for further consideration
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ACROSS THE NATION
Florida Law Protecting Children From Drag Shows Should Be Restored
ATLANTA, GA – Liberty Counsel filed an amicus brief to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in HM Florida-ORL, LLC v. Florida, a case where a Florida restaurant that hosts drag performances is challenging the state’s “Protection of Children Act,” which is currently blocked statewide by an injunction.
Liberty Counsel is urging the appeals court to restore Florida’s 2023 law banning “adult live performances” in view of minors since the state has a compelling interest in protecting children from obscene, lewd, and sexual content. -- [Read more at Liberty Counsel]
School Choice Is About Religious Liberty, Not Just Better Test Scores
School choice policies are sweeping the country. Eighteen states now make every K–12 student eligible to receive public funds to attend the school of their family’s choice, and more are expected to do likewise. To craft sound policies that deliver on the promise of school choice, policymakers must ground their approach in the fundamental principles that justify this shift away from traditional public education. -- [Read more at Heritage Foundation]
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Catch Up on the Faith and Family First Podcast
Weekly Faith and Family First Update
Each week, Marcus and I sit down to talk story about what’s happening at the Capitol and how it impacts families across Hawaii. You can now listen to our weekly update as a podcast — at home, in the car, or wherever you are.
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Mahalo for walking this journey with us.