SB 619 Summary

• Adds definitions to Hawaii criminal code (Chapter 704) for "advanced practice registered nurse," "licensed psychologist," "qualified advanced practice registered nurse," and "qualified physician" to clarify roles in fitness to proceed examinations.

• Allows advanced practice registered nurses with prescriptive authority and national certification in psychiatric specialization to serve as examiners in fitness to proceed proceedings for criminal defendants, alongside psychiatrists and licensed psychologists.

• Expands eligible examiners in nonfelony, class C felony, and felony cases to include qualified advanced practice registered nurses, while maintaining requirement that at least one examiner in felony cases be a psychiatrist, advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed psychologist from the Department of Health.

• Permits advanced practice registered nurses to participate in insanity evaluations, competency restoration hearings, conditional release determinations, and other mental health examinations required in criminal proceedings.

• Takes effect July 1, 2050.