HB 2079 Summary

• Allows licensed practitioners in Hawaii to prescribe Schedule III and IV controlled substances (including testosterone) for gender-affirming health care services via telehealth without in-person consultation, even when the practitioner is located outside the State.

• Expands protections for reproductive health care and gender-affirming health care services across multiple licensing boards (physicians, nurses, psychologists, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists) by preventing discipline based on out-of-state actions related to lawful services provided in Hawaii.

• Prohibits Hawaii agencies from providing nonpublic information or resources to assist out-of-state investigations or proceedings targeting individuals or providers for seeking, receiving, or providing gender-affirming health care services that are lawful in Hawaii.

• Establishes child custody jurisdiction in Hawaii when a child is present in the State for gender-affirming health care services and provides protections against dismissal of custody cases on inconvenient forum grounds when the alternative jurisdiction restricts access to such services.

• Prevents enforcement of out-of-state judgments or orders that restrict reproductive health care or gender-affirming health care services in Hawaii, and prohibits courts from compelling testimony in out-of-state prosecutions involving lawful reproductive or gender-affirming health care services.