Hawaii Family Forum Legislative Week in Review
from Hawaii Family Forum, March 27, 2026
HB1875 provides targeted protections for specific healthcare services (including gender-affirming care)
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | HB 1875 HD2 was heard last week by a joint committee hearing of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services and the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection. The HHS passed the bill out of committee unanimously last week, but the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection deferred decision-making until Tuesday of this week.
As we mentioned last week, this 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.
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 CPN were as follows:
4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Lamosao, McKelvey;
1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa
STATUS: The bill now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee. We will keep you posted as to when it is scheduled for hearing.
HR 5 & HCR 6 – EMTALA Resolution Heard in House Health
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | HR5 & HCR6 was heard by the House Committee on Health.
Two resolutions, HR 5 and HCR 6, were heard this week by the House Committee on Health. These measures affirm a specific interpretation of federal law (EMTALA), stating that abortion may be required as a form of emergency medical care in certain situations.
Hawai‘i Family Forum submitted testimony in opposition. While we strongly support ensuring that women receive immediate, life-saving care in medical emergencies, we raised concerns that these resolutions go beyond that purpose. Instead, they promote a one-sided interpretation of federal law that is currently being debated nationwide and is not clearly settled.
We also noted that these resolutions are unnecessary to ensure emergency care in Hawai‘i, where hospitals already provide high-quality treatment. Additionally, we encouraged lawmakers to be mindful of the importance of protecting ethical and conscience considerations within the healthcare system.
As resolutions, these measures do not have the force of law. However, they express the will of the Legislature and can signal the direction of future policy decisions.
STATUS: On March 25, 2026, the House Committee on Health recommended that the measures be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows:
7 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi;
2 Noes: Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia
The resolutions will now move to the full House floor for passage.
LEGISLATIVE DEADLINES
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.
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Sen. Mazie Hirono Joins Effort to Establish “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day”
From Maui Now: Did you know that US Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaiʻi and more than 30 colleagues introduced a bicameral resolution to designate March 10, 2026, as Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, citing the need to protect healthcare workers facing rising threats?
The resolution honors the work of doctors, nurses and clinic staff who provide reproductive care. The federal recognition highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure medical services remain available despite national legal shifts and reported increases in harassment.
Hirono joined US Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan and US Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts in leading the measure. US Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaiʻi also joined as a co-sponsor in the House. [Read full article]
Liberty Counsel To Appeal Seattle Christian Mayday Gathering Case
Mar 23, 2026 | SEATTLE, WA – Liberty Counsel will file an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Russell Johnson et al v. City of Seattle et al after the district court denied its motion for a preliminary injunction against Seattle’s unconstitutional event permit process. Last week, Liberty Counsel filed the appeal notice to the U.S. District Court in Western Washington.
In May 2025, Seattle unlawfully denied the organizers of the grassroots revival event Mayday USA a permit to peacefully assemble at the traditional Pike Street downtown location due to its religious message. The purpose of the Mayday USA event was to worship, advocate against abortion and human trafficking, and advocate for protecting children and the family unit. Instead, the city steered the May 24, 2025, event to Cal Anderson Park in a predominantly “LGBTQ+ community” where violent attacks from agitators ensued. [Read full story here.]
A Changing Landscape: Abortions Rise in Post-Roe America
March 24, 2026 | The number of abortions performed in America in 2025 exceeded the number performed before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, driven by an increase in medication provided via telehealth to patients in states where the procedure is banned.
That finding in a report released Tuesday by the Guttmacher Institute underscores the stakes of a battle over access to abortion-inducing drugs that is raging in legislatures across the country, with states competing to enforce their own laws both within and beyond their borders.
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Asking For Your Help: Strengthening Our Digital Voice for Hawaiʻi’s Families
As we continue to walk alongside you during this legislative session—providing updates, action alerts, and resources—we’ve been taking a close look at how we communicate with our community.
Our website has faithfully served us for several years, but it is showing its age. Behind the scenes, it requires important updates just to remain secure and functional. While we are taking steps to “stabilize” it for now, our longer-term goal is to build a stronger, more effective platform that can better equip and connect people across Hawaiʻi.
Imagine a space where it’s easier to:
Stay informed on key issues
Take action when it matters most
Access trusted resources for your family and church
Share this information with others
That’s the vision we’re working toward.
If you feel led to support this effort, your gift will help us take the next step toward building a digital platform that serves our mission for years to come.
Thank you for standing with us—and for being part of this growing community.
Click here to help fund our website rebuild
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Catch Up on the Faith and Family First Podcast
Weekly Faith and Family First Update
Big Decisions Ahead: Taxes, Resolutions & Final Votes Coming
This week on Faith and Family First, we cover major movement at the Capitol—from competing tax “relief” bills to controversial resolutions and the next phase of the legislative session.
We also take a moment to lift our North Shore communities and share how people across Hawaiʻi are stepping up to serve in the aftermath of recent storms.
As bills head toward final decisions, now is the time to stay informed and ready to engage.
Hosted by Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor and A Place for Women in Waipio, this community presentation features Dr. Bill Lile discussing compassionate, life-affirming healthcare across the stages of life. Through advanced medical animation and insights drawn from his clinical experience, Dr. Lile will examine the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and explore contemporary medical topics including chemical abortions, abortion pill reversal, and assisted suicide. The presentation highlights the scientific realities of pregnancy and the ethical responsibilities physicians face in caring for vulnerable patients. Attendees will gain a visually compelling and clinically informed perspective on patient care and the importance of treating every patient with dignity. This community event is open to all and offered at no cost.
Eva Andrade from Hawaii Family Forum will provide a clear overview of how elected officials in Hawaiʻi have voted on key life-related issues, helping attendees understand the current legislative landscape. She will also encourage thoughtful civic engagement by explaining how individuals can align their values with their voting decisions to influence meaningful change.