S.C.R. No. 49 Summary

• Requests the Department of Health to convene a stakeholder working group to develop recommendations for enhancing language assistance services in Hawaii's health care system.

• Working group must include health care providers, insurers, community-based organizations, and language service providers to study language access across the state and on each island.

• Group must assess experiences of limited English proficient (LEP) populations, existing language services and workforce, disparities in health care access, use of family members as interpreters, interpreter availability, and medical interpretation requirements.

• Responds to the fact that 25.9 percent of Hawaii residents aged five and older speak a language other than English at home, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act requires meaningful access for LEP individuals.

• Department of Health must submit a report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature at least 20 days before the 2025 Regular Session convenes.