SB 896 Summary

• Prohibits covered entities from disclosing patient communications or information related to reproductive health care services without explicit written consent, with limited exceptions for health care negligence litigation, licensing investigations, and child/elder abuse cases.

• Prohibits Hawaii courts from issuing subpoenas for out-of-state proceedings involving reproductive health care services legally performed in Hawaii and prohibits judges from summoning witnesses to testify in other states regarding lawful reproductive health care services.

• Prohibits state agencies from providing information or resources to support interstate investigations or prosecutions related to reproductive health care services lawful in Hawaii, and prohibits the governor from extraditing individuals charged in other states for providing or assisting with such services unless the conduct is also criminal in Hawaii.

• Declares laws from other states that criminalize or restrict reproductive health care services to be contrary to Hawaii's public policy and prohibits their application in Hawaii courts.

• Clarifies that medical professionals cannot face licensure discipline in Hawaii based on disciplinary actions taken in other states for providing reproductive health care services that are lawful in Hawaii.