HB 2744 Summary

• Establishes an Oral Health Task Force within the Department of Health to review Hawaii's oral health status and infrastructure, with members appointed from state agencies, county representatives, dental associations, and community advocates.

• Task force shall review oral health data, assess department of health program functions, develop an oral health strategic blueprint, and make recommendations regarding organizational structure, personnel needs, and funding requirements.

• Requires an interim report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2025 Regular Session and a final report no later than twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session; task force ceases to exist on June 30, 2027.

• Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 to contract with a consultant to facilitate the task force's work and complete required reports.

• Appropriates funds to establish Program Specialist V positions within the Family Health Services Division of the Department of Health to support oral health policy analysis and serve as liaison to other state agencies on the task force.