S.B. 2789 Summary

• Exempts positions known as "Administrative Appeals Hearing Officer" in the Department of Human Services from civil service requirements, effective July 1, 2018.

• Department of Human Services receives approximately 1,900 annual requests for administrative appeals from applicants or recipients of public benefits and roughly 30 requests annually from medical service providers.

• Administrative appeals hearing officers will conduct administrative appeals hearings, review federal and state laws and regulations, receive testimony, make findings of fact and conclusions of law, and render final hearing decisions.

• Amendment modifies Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 76-16(b) by adding paragraph (28) to list administrative appeals hearing officer positions among civil service exemptions.