HI HCR62

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is requested to study the feasibility of amending the definition of "regular employee" under the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act to include employees working an average of at least 20 hours per week during a four-week period, excluding seasonal employees.

Current definition of "regular employee" requires 20 hours per week but does not account for fluctuating business patterns in retail and hospitality sectors that may cause employees to fall below the threshold in individual weeks.

Proposed amendment would prevent supervisors from manipulating work schedules to make employees ineligible for employer-sponsored health insurance despite averaging 20 or more hours weekly.

Department must report findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2018.

Resolution aims to eliminate gaps in health insurance coverage caused by irregular business patterns or unethical schedule manipulation while maintaining the original purpose of the 1974 Prepaid Health Care Act.