Bills

SB 144: Hawaii Board of Chiropractic; Licensure; Exception; Students; Clinical Practice; Rules

Session Year: 2025-2026
House: Senate
Latest Version Date: 2025-02-25

Current Status:

Failed

(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

Version:

Beginning 7/1/2027, allows chiropractic students enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a qualified licensed chiropractor. Requires the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Version:

SB144 SD2

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	144
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC.

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

SECTION 1. Section 442-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§442-2 License to practice. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to practice chiropractic without a license. Any person applying for a license to practice chiropractic shall submit an application to the Hawaii board of chiropractic accompanied by the application fee, and all documents and affidavits that may be prescribed by law. The application shall be submitted in accordance with the rules of the board, shall be on a form prescribed by the board, and shall be signed by the applicant. In addition thereto, each applicant shall furnish to the board:

(1) Satisfactory proof that the applicant has met the educational requirements prescribed in the rules of the board; provided that these educational requirements shall not apply to applicants having entered an approved chiropractic college on or before October 31, 1955; and

(2) Satisfactory proof that the applicant graduated from a chiropractic college accredited by, or recognized as a candidate for accreditation by, any chiropractic college accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education; provided that the requirements shall not apply to applicants who matriculated in any chiropractic college prior to October 15, 1984.

(b) Except in the cases otherwise prescribed in this section, each applicant shall be a graduate of a chiropractic school or college accredited as provided by this section.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a student enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college from engaging in clinical practice under the direct supervision of a qualified licensed chiropractor as part of the student's educational program."

SECTION 2. The Hawaii board of chiropractic shall adopt rules defining "clinical practice" and establishing the criteria to qualify as a chiropractic college or direct supervising licensed chiropractor pursuant to this Act.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050; provided that section 1 shall take effect on July 1, 2027.

Report Title:

Hawaii Board of Chiropractic; Licensure; Exception; Students; Clinical Practice; Rules

Description:

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

SB144 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	144
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC.

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

SECTION 1. Section 442-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

(b) Except in the cases otherwise prescribed in this section each applicant shall be a graduate of a chiropractic school or college accredited as provided by this section.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 1 shall take effect on July 1, 2027.

Report Title:

Hawaii Board of Chiropractic; Licensure; Exception; Students; Clinical Practice; Rules

Description:

Beginning 7/1/2027, allows chiropractic students enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a qualified licensed chiropractor. Section 1 effective 7/1/2027. Requires the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules. (SD1)

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

SB144

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	144
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to chiropractic.

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

SECTION 1. Section 442-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

(b) Except in the cases otherwise prescribed in this section each applicant shall be a graduate of a chiropractic school or college accredited as provided by this section.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a student enrolled in a chiropractic college from engaging in clinical practice under the direct supervision of a licensed chiropractor as part of the student's educational program."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Chiropractic; Licensure; Exception; Students; Clinical Practice

Description:

Allows chiropractic students to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a licensed chiropractor.

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

Date	Status
Dec 8, 2025	Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Mar 6, 2025	Referred to HED, CPC, referral sheet 19
Mar 6, 2025	Pass First Reading
Mar 4, 2025	Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 99) in amended form (SD 2).
Mar 4, 2025	Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
Feb 27, 2025	48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.
Feb 27, 2025	Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 738) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
Feb 19, 2025	The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Richards.
Feb 14, 2025	The committee(s) on CPN will hold a public decision making on 02-19-25 9:35AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
Feb 10, 2025	Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to CPN.
Feb 10, 2025	Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 204) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN.
Jan 27, 2025	The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Jan 23, 2025	The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 01-27-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
Jan 17, 2025	Referred to HHS, CPN.
Jan 15, 2025	Introduced and passed First Reading.
Jan 10, 2025	Pending Introduction.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
Mar 4, 2025	Third Reading	Senate Floor	25 0 0 Passed
Feb 19, 2025	The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection	4 0 1 Passed
Jan 27, 2025	The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services	5 0 0 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.

Positions by individuals are not included.

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

Organization	Position	Date
Hawaii Board of Chiropractic	** Support
Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, Inc.	** Support
Hawaii State Chiropractic Association	** Support

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 738

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 144

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 144, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning July 1, 2027, allow chiropractic students enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a qualified licensed chiropractor; and

(2) Require the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic, Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, and twenty-six individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that allowing students studying for a degree in a practical field, such as chiropractic, to engage in supervised clinical practice in their trade prior to graduation can be a powerful educational and recruitment tool. Clinical practice facilitates the application of knowledge and skills gained in the classroom in a setting where a licensed professional can offer guidance and feedback. Clinical practice is especially important for chiropractic students, as they must refine skills in musculoskeletal diagnosis, physical examination, and patient communication before practicing independently. This measure increases training opportunities for chiropractors to help recruit and retain practitioners in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 144, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 144, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 204

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 144

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 144 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow chiropractic students to engage in clinical practice as part of their chiropractic college instruction if directly supervised by a licensed chiropractor.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, Inc. and sixty individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic.

Your Committee finds that clinical practice allows students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom in real-world settings, which also helps students receive guidance and feedback from a duly licensed supervisor. Your Committee further finds that clinical practice is especially important for chiropractic students, who must refine their musculoskeletal diagnosis, physical examination, and patient communication skills, which are best developed through diverse, real-world clinical situations. This measure allows chiropractic students enrolled in a chiropractic college to develop essential skills by working directly with patients under the supervision of a licensed chiropractor.

Your Committee acknowledges the concerns raised in the testimony of the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic regarding the lack of clarity in this measure on the definition of "clinical practice" and criteria to qualify as a chiropractic college or chiropractors who can serve as a direct supervisor.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to require the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules to define "clinical practice" and establish criteria to qualify as a chiropractic college or direct supervising licensed chiropractor; and

(2) Making section 1 effective July 1, 2027, to allow the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic time to adopt rules.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 144, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 144, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

Discussed in Hearing

4MIN

Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services

View Older Hearings

Authors shown for version:
SB144_SD2 (2/25/2025)