Informing the Legislature that on June 5, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2050 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 090).

2026 Regular Session

Allows Hawaii chiropractic students to train in clinics under qualified supervision with patient consent and board rules to ensure safety and accountability.

Received.

#act090

Bill Summary: SB 2050, SD1, HD2, CD1 (ACT 090) – Hawaii, 2026

Core purpose

To authorize chiropractic students to engage in clinical training involving patient care under a regulated framework, expanding opportunities for hands-on learning while ensuring patient safety and professional accountability.

Key provisions and changes

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes (Chapter 442) by adding a new section on chiropractic students’ clinical training.

Allowable Activities:

A chiropractic student enrolled in a Doctor of Chiropractic program accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (or successor) and approved by the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic may participate in clinical training involving the practice of chiropractic.

Conditions and supervision:

Training must occur under a formal affiliation agreement between the accredited program and a supervising chiropractor or clinical supervisor.
The supervising chiropractor must:
Be licensed to practice chiropractic in Hawaii.
Be physically present at the patient-care location.
Retain full professional and legal responsibility for care provided.
The student must have completed all didactic coursework and be actively participating in the clinical phase, meeting institutional requirements to engage in patient care as a clinical student.

Patient consent and disclosure:

Before providing services, the patient must be informed that care will be provided by a chiropractic student and must consent to receiving services from the student.

Board rulemaking:

The Hawaii Board of Chiropractic shall adopt rules to implement the section, including:
Qualifications for supervising chiropractors.
Permissible scope of clinical services by students.
Supervision requirements.
Documentation and reporting requirements.

Definitions:

“Chiropractic student” defined as an individual actively enrolled in an accredited Doctor of Chiropractic program and participating in required clinical training.

Reporting and timeline

A report from the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to the Legislature is due no later than 20 days before the convening of the 2027 regular session. The report should cover:

Implementation status of the act.
Patient safety considerations.
Student participation levels.
Any other recommendations.

Effective dates

General effective date: July 1, 2026.

Specific provision effective date (the new section on clinical training): July 1, 2028.

The act was signed into law by the Governor on June 5, 2026 (ACT 090).

Affected parties

Chiropractic students enrolled in accredited Doctor of Chiropractic programs.

Supervising chiropractors in Hawaii.

Healthcare facilities or clinical sites where chiropractic students train.

The Hawaii Board of Chiropractic (rulemaking and oversight).

Significance

Expands practical training opportunities for chiropractic students, potentially increasing the pool of trained chiropractors.

Establishes a regulated framework to ensure patient safety and professional accountability through supervised student involvement and mandated disclosures.

Requires ongoing evaluation by the Board and legislative reporting to monitor implementation and safety outcomes.