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HI HB816
Bill
Status
3/5/2026
Primary Sponsor
Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy
Click for details
AI Summary
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Authorizes all licensed emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Hawaii to administer buprenorphine after administering an opioid antagonist during opioid overdose responses
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Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules classifying opioid-related drug overdoses as life-threatening emergencies equivalent to heart attacks and strokes
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Mandates the Department of Health to incorporate buprenorphine administration into standard emergency medical services protocols, aligned with national best practices from states including California, New Mexico, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
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Requires the Department of Health to allocate resources for EMT training on buprenorphine administration and coordinate implementation with emergency medical services providers statewide
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Addresses Hawaii's opioid crisis, which recorded over 280 overdose deaths in 2022 at a rate of 18.6 deaths per 100,000 people, with opioids becoming the leading cause of overdose-related emergency department visits
Legislative Description
Relating To Emergency Response.
DOH
Last Action
The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fevella.
3/16/2026