HB 1918 Summary

• Allows terminally ill patients in Hawaii to access investigational drugs, biological products, or devices that have completed FDA Phase 1 clinical trials but lack final FDA approval, effective January 1, 2023.

• Establishes "eligible patient" requirements including terminal illness attestation, exhaustion of FDA-approved treatments, inability to access clinical trials within 100 miles or within one week, physician recommendation, and written informed consent.

• Permits manufacturers to provide investigational treatments to eligible patients either without compensation or by charging manufacturing costs; health insurers may deny coverage during treatment for up to six months.

• Prohibits licensing boards from revoking or suspending healthcare provider licenses for recommending access to investigational treatments for terminal illnesses matching the patient's condition.

• Shields manufacturers and healthcare providers from liability for harm from investigational treatments if acting in good faith and exercising reasonable care, and eliminates heirs' liability for treatment-related debts if the patient dies.