SB 2271: DOH; Hospitals; Licensing Inspections; CMS; Accreditation Organizations; Certification Organizations

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOSPITAL LICENSING.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that The Joint Commission is the most widely used accreditation organization for hospitals in the United States.  The legislature further finds that other accreditation organizations have also been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and also provide accreditation to hospitals.  These organizations include the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality, and DNV Healthcare.  Currently, The Joint Commission is the only accreditation organization authorized in the State to provide accreditation that demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to adopt rules to allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     SECTION 2.  Section 321-14.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (c) to (e) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The rules [may] shall provide that accreditation or certification by [The Joint Commission] an accreditation organization or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.  The rules may exempt a hospital from a licensing inspection on a continuing basis throughout the term of the accreditation or certification under the following conditions:

     (1)  The hospital provides the department with a certified copy of the hospital's official accreditation or certification report [from The Joint Commission];

     (2)  The hospital continuously holds full accreditation [by The Joint Commission;] or certification and provides the department with a certified copy of the hospital's official accreditation or certification report; and

     (3)  The hospital holds a current and valid state license.

     (d)  The rules shall provide that the department may conduct inspections and investigations of exempt hospitals [to investigate] regarding complaints, [follow up on] adverse accreditation or certification findings, or [conduct] periodic validation surveys.

     (e)  Information contained in reports of survey and official accreditation or certification letters made by [The Joint Commission] an accreditation organization or a certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that are used in determining compliance with licensing requirements shall be public information."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

DOH; Hospitals; Licensing Inspections; CMS; Accreditation Organizations; Certification Organizations

Description:

Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules to allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  (CD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOSPITAL LICENSING.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that The Joint Commission is the most widely used accreditation organization for hospitals in the United States.  The legislature further finds that other accreditation organizations have also been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and also provide accreditation to hospitals.  These organizations include the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality, and DNV Healthcare.  Currently, The Joint Commission is the only accreditation organization authorized in the State to provide accreditation that demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to permit hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     SECTION 2.  Section 321-14.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (c) to (e) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The rules [may] shall provide that accreditation or certification by [The Joint Commission] an accreditation organization or a certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.  The rules may exempt a hospital from a licensing inspection on a continuing basis throughout the term of the accreditation or certification under the following conditions:

     (1)  The hospital provides the department with a certified copy of the hospital's official accreditation or certification report [from The Joint Commission];

     (2)  The hospital continuously holds full accreditation [by The Joint Commission;] or certification and provides the department with a certified copy of any updated official accreditation or certification reports; and

     (3)  The hospital holds a current and valid state license.

     (d)  The rules shall provide that the department may conduct inspections and investigations of exempt hospitals [to investigate] regarding complaints, [follow up on] adverse accreditation or certification findings, or [conduct] periodic validation surveys.

     (e)  Information contained in reports of survey and official accreditation or certification letters made by [The Joint Commission] an accreditation organization or a certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that are used in determining compliance with licensing requirements shall be public information."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Hospital Licensing; Department of Health; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Accreditation Organizations; Certification Organizations; Licensing Inspections

Description:

Permits hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (HD2)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOSPITAL LICENSING.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that The Joint Commission is the most widely used accreditation organization for hospitals in the United States.  The legislature further finds that other accreditation organizations have also been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and also provide accreditation to hospitals.  These organizations include the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality, and DNV GL Healthcare.  Currently, The Joint Commission is the only accreditation organization authorized in the State to provide accreditation that demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to permit hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     SECTION 2.  Section 321-14.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (c) to (e) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The rules [may] shall provide that accreditation or certification by [The Joint Commission] an accreditation organization or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.  The rules may exempt a hospital from a licensing inspection on a continuing basis throughout the term of the accreditation or certification under the following conditions:

     (1)  The hospital provides the department with a certified copy of the hospital's official accreditation or certification report [from The Joint Commission];

     (2)  The hospital continuously holds full accreditation [by The Joint Commission;] or certification and provides the department with a certified copy of the hospital's official accreditation or certification report; and

     (3)  The hospital holds a current and valid state license.

     (d)  The rules shall provide that the department may conduct inspections and investigations of exempt hospitals [to investigate] regarding complaints, [follow up on] adverse accreditation or certification findings, or [conduct] periodic validation surveys.

     (e)  Information contained in reports of survey and official accreditation or certification letters made by [The Joint Commission] an accreditation organization or a certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that are used in determining compliance with licensing requirements shall be public information."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Hospital Licensing; Department of Health; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Accreditation Organizations; Certification Organizations; Licensing Inspections

Description:

Permits hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (HD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOSPITAL LICENSING.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that The Joint Commission is the most widely used accreditation organization for hospitals in the United States.  The legislature further finds that other accreditation organizations have also been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and also provide accreditation to hospitals.  These organizations include the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality, and DNV GL Healthcare.  Currently, The Joint Commission is the only accreditation organization authorized in the State to provide accreditation that demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to adopt rules to allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     SECTION 2.  Section 321-14.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (c) to (e) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The rules [may] shall provide that accreditation or certification by [The Joint Commission] an accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.  The rules may exempt a hospital from a licensing inspection on a continuing basis throughout the term of the accreditation or certification under the following conditions:

     (1)  The hospital provides the department with a certified copy of the hospital's official accreditation or certification report [from The Joint Commission];

     (2)  The hospital continuously holds full accreditation [by The Joint Commission;] or certification and provides the department with a certified copy of the hospital's official accreditation or certification report; and

     (3)  The hospital holds a current and valid state license.

     (d)  The rules shall provide that the department may conduct inspections and investigations of exempt hospitals [to investigate] regarding complaints, [follow up on] adverse accreditation or certification findings, or [conduct] periodic validation surveys.

     (e)  Information contained in reports of survey and official accreditation or certification letters made by [The Joint Commission] an accreditation organization or a certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that are used in determining compliance with licensing requirements shall be public information."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Hospital Licensing; Department of Health; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Accreditation Organizations; Certification Organizations; Licensing Inspections

Description:

Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules to allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to hospital licensing.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that The Joint Commission is the most widely used accreditation organization for hospitals in the United States.  The legislature further finds that other accreditation organizations have been recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and also provide accreditation to hospitals.  These organizations include the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality, and DNV GL Healthcare.  Currently, The Joint Commission is the only accreditation organization authorized in the State to provide accreditation that demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to adopt rules to allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     SECTION 2.  Section 321-14.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (c) to (e) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The rules [may] shall provide that accreditation or certification by [The Joint Commission] an accreditation or certification organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.  The rules may exempt a hospital from a licensing inspection on a continuing basis throughout the term of the accreditation or certification under the following conditions:

     (1)  The hospital provides the department with a certified copy of the hospital's official accreditation or certification report [from The Joint Commission];

     (2)  The hospital continuously holds full accreditation [by The Joint Commission;] or certification and provides the department with a certified copy of the hospital's official accreditation or certification report; and

     (3)  The hospital holds a current and valid state license.

     (d)  The rules shall provide that the department may conduct inspections and investigations of exempt hospitals [to investigate] regarding complaints, [follow up on] adverse accreditation or certification findings, or [conduct] periodic validation surveys.

     (e)  Information contained in reports of survey and official accreditation or certification letters made by [The Joint Commission] an accreditation organization or a certification organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that are used in determining compliance with licensing requirements shall be public information."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Hospital Licensing; Department of Health; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Accreditation Organizations; Certification Organizations; Licensing Inspections

Description:

Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules to allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2848

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2271

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2271 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOSPITAL LICENSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Health to adopt rules authorizing hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all state licensing inspections through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that The Joint Commission is the most widely used accreditation organization for hospitals in the United States.  Your Committee further finds that other accreditation organizations have also been recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to accredit hospitals.  However, your Committee notes that The Joint Commission is currently the only accreditation organization authorized by the State to provide accreditation demonstrating a hospital's compliance with all state licensing inspections.  Accordingly, this measure will expand the list of authorized accreditation organizations that may be used by the State's hospitals to fulfill state licensing inspection requirements.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adopting amendments offered by the Department of Health to clarify that authorized accreditation or certification organizations are organizations "approved" rather than "recognized," by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2271, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2271, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2294

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2271

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2271 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOSPITAL LICENSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Health to adopt rules to allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, State Health Planning and Development Agency, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Kaiser Permanente.

     Your Committee finds that the Joint Commission is, and has been for a long time, the only organization authorized in the State to provide accreditation of a hospital's compliance with all required state licensing inspections.  This measure will simplify administrative processes for the State without adversely impacting patient safety or quality by expanding opportunities for accreditation by state hospitals to include any accreditation or certification organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     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. 2271 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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