THIS WEEK IN HAWAII

from Hawaii Family Forum, March 20, 2026

HB1875: Sex-Change for Children

Friday, March 20, 2026 | HB 1875 HD2 was heard this week by the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services and passed out of committee unanimously.

Testimony for this measure was largely in support, with numerous organizations and individuals advocating for expanded protections for providers and patients. At the same time, we are grateful for the individuals and organizations who took the time to submit thoughtful testimony in opposition and help ensure that important concerns were part of the discussion.

The bill expands Hawaiʻi’s existing “shield law” to include gender-affirming health care services and limits cooperation with certain out-of-state legal actions. While the intent is to protect access to care, Hawaii Family Forum submitted testimony in opposition, raising concerns about reduced accountability, potential interstate legal conflicts, and added complexity in situations where families span multiple states or parents may disagree about significant medical decisions.

We emphasized the importance of maintaining appropriate oversight in medical care, especially when policies may have long-term implications, and encouraged lawmakers to carefully balance access to care with accountability, transparency, and the role of families.

HB 1875 HD2 now continues to move forward in the legislative process. We will continue to monitor this measure closely and provide updates as it progresses.

The votes in HHS were as follows: 
4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha, Keohokalole; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fevella;
1 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey.
STATUS:  The bill now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  We will keep you posted as to when it is scheduled for hearing.

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HB1961 “interference with access to health care facilities”

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | HB 1961 HD2 was heard this week by the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services and passed out of committee with strong support.

Testimony for this measure was overwhelmingly in support, with healthcare providers and advocacy organizations urging passage to protect access to medical facilities. At the same time, we are grateful for the individuals and organizations who took the time to submit thoughtful testimony in opposition and help ensure that important concerns were part of the discussion.

The bill creates a new criminal offense related to interference with access to health care facilities, including mandatory jail time and expanded civil liability. While the intent is to ensure safe access to care, Hawaiʻi Family Forum submitted testimony in opposition, raising concerns about the bill’s broad language—particularly the use of the term “reckless”—and the potential impact on peaceful, faith-based public expression. 

We emphasized that violence, threats, and obstruction are already illegal under existing law, and encouraged lawmakers to carefully balance access to care with the protection of fundamental freedoms, including speech and religious expression.

HB 1961 HD2 now continues to move forward in the legislative process. We will continue to monitor this measure closely and provide updates as it progresses.

The votes in HHS were as follows: 
4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole; 
1 No(es): Senator(s) Fevella

STATUS:  The bill now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  We will keep you posted as to when it is scheduled for hearing.

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LEGISLATIVE DEADLINES:

MAR 27 SECOND LATERAL FILING (BILLS) – Filing Deadline for Second Lateral Bills 

MAR 30 SECOND LATERAL (BILLS) – All bills with multiple referrals must move to their final referral committee in the non-originating chamber by this date. 

MAR 31 (SENATE) APR 2 (HOUSE) FIRST LATERAL FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS – Concurrent resolutions require adoption in each chamber and are used to state the official position of the Legislature on an issue, or to request action formally without having to mandate it by law. All concurrent resolutions with multiple referrals must move to their final committee in the originating chamber by this date.

APR 9 FIRST CROSSOVER FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS – Deadline for passing the single reading required for resolutions in order to move from the originating chamber to the other chamber. & SINGLE REFERRAL FILING DEADLINE (HBS) – Deadline for Senate committee reports on single referral HBs to be filed. 

APR 10 SECOND DECKING (BILLS) – Deadline for submitting bills that have been amended by the non-originating chamber to emerge from all their committees (with committee reports filed) and be submitted to the clerk of that chamber. This “decking” ensures a mandatory 48-hour opportunity for final review by the non-originating chamber’s members before third reading.