HI SB548

Exempts commissioned medical officers employed by the U.S. Department of Defense and credentialed by Tripler Army Medical Center from Hawaii licensing requirements when providing telemedicine services to military beneficiaries in National Guard armories on Hawaii's Neighbor Islands (Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai).

Applies only to direct telemedicine support or services delivered within Hawaii National Guard armories, not to in-person medical practice.

Supported by the Department of Hawaii Veterans of Foreign Wars and Maui County Veterans Council; received comments from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Medical Association, and Hawaii Medical Board.

Committee notes jurisdictional uncertainty: if armories are under federal jurisdiction, the exemption may not be necessary, but if under state jurisdiction, the bill removes licensure barriers.

Committee recommends referral to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce to clarify whether National Guard armories fall under state or federal jurisdiction and how that affects Hawaii's licensure requirements.