SB 2414: DCAB; Study; Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deaf-Blind; Effective Communication in Health Care Guidance; Report

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD.

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

     SECTION 1.  The disability and communication access board shall conduct a study of the communication needs of individuals who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind in health care settings.  The study shall include consideration of:

     (1)  The availability in the State of sign language interpreters, tactile interpreters, and other services and auxiliary aids that serve the needs of the State's deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind communities;

     (2)  The patients' preferences;

     (3)  Any special communication needs of in-patients in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind;

     (4)  The legal duty for health care providers to provide patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind with auxiliary aids and services, including qualified sign language interpreters, to ensure effective communication; and

     (5)  Any recommended revisions to the current guidance for health care providers to ensure effective communication that better addresses the needs of patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind.

     SECTION 2.  The disability and communication access board shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

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

Report Title:

DCAB; Study; Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deaf-Blind; Effective Communication in Health Care Guidance; Report

Description:

Requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the health care communication needs of patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind.  Requires a report to the Legislature 20 days prior to the 2027 Regular Session.

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. 2354

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2414

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. 2414 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the health care communication needs of patients who are deaf, hard‑of‑hearing, or deaf-blind and submit a report to the Legislature.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, and six individuals.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the State faces a growing number of hard of hearing residents amid its aging population with tens of thousands already affected statewide.  Your Committee further finds that hearing loss significantly impacts health outcomes and quality of life.  This measure requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the communication needs of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf blind individuals to provide direction, identify current resources, and identify gaps in the State's health care system.

     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. 2414 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,