HI SB116

Adds a new rule to Hawaii's Rules of Evidence excluding medical apologies from being admissible to prove liability in health care cases.

Protects statements, gestures, or conduct expressing apology, sympathy, compassion, or benevolence made by health care providers regarding unanticipated medical outcomes that cause discomfort, pain, injury, or death.

Recognizes that a healthy doctor-patient relationship is essential to quality health care and that communication between patients and providers should be encouraged.

Does not affect rights, duties, penalties, or proceedings that began before the effective date.

Effective July 1, 2050.