S.B. 1150 Summary

• Authorizes the Hawaii Department of Health to accept accreditation or certification from nationally recognized organizations (such as The Joint Commission) as demonstration of skilled nursing facility compliance with state licensing inspection requirements.

• Allows the department to exempt accredited or certified skilled nursing facilities from routine state licensing inspections on a continuing basis if the facility maintains current accreditation, holds a valid state license, and provides certified copies of accreditation reports to the department.

• Permits the department to conduct inspections and investigations of exempt facilities in response to complaints, adverse accreditation findings, or periodic validation surveys.

• Designates survey reports and official accreditation or certification letters as public information, while other department records remain subject to privacy law (Chapter 92F).

• Takes effect upon approval.