SB 1242: RELATING TO NURSES.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to nurSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of health shall establish a five-year nurse recertification pilot program to facilitate the timely recertification of, or the issuance of temporary licenses to, nurses who wish to rejoin the workforce but whose previous certifications have lapsed.

     (b)  The department shall submit interim reports to the legislature on the status of the pilot program no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, and a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2030.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment and implementation of a nurse recertification pilot program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of health to award scholarships to eligible nursing students who agree to teach nursing in Hawaii after graduating.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DOH; Nurses; Nursing Students; Recertification; Scholarships; Reports; Appropriations

Description:

Requires and appropriates moneys for the establishment of a 5-year nurse recertification pilot program to be administered by the Department of Health.  Requires reports to the Legislature.  Appropriates moneys for the Department of Health to award scholarships to eligible nursing students who agree to teach nursing in Hawaii after graduating.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.