WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 2552

RELATING TO EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE LICENSURE WAIVERS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Della Belatti and 6 co-sponsors

Hawaii bill HB 2552 would allow emergency waivers of healthcare licensing requirements during declared crises to rapidly deploy medical professionals and address workforce shortages.

Referred to HLT, PBS, CPC, referral sheet 6
#doh #emergency #healthcare #licenses #reports #waivers
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2552

Legislative bill overview

HB 2552 would establish a mechanism for Hawaii to waive or expedite healthcare professional licensing requirements during declared emergencies or public health crises. The bill allows the state to temporarily credential out-of-state healthcare providers or fast-track licensing for qualified professionals when local capacity is insufficient to meet emergency demand.

Why is this important

Healthcare workforce shortages during emergencies—whether natural disasters, pandemics, or mass casualty events—can strain hospital and clinic capacity, potentially compromising patient care. This bill addresses a real operational gap by enabling rapid deployment of available medical talent without lengthy credentialing delays that could cost lives during acute crises.

Potential points of contention

  • Patient safety concerns: Accelerated licensing or out-of-state waivers could reduce verification of practitioner competency, credentials, or disciplinary histories, creating liability risks and quality-of-care questions
  • Scope and duration definition: The bill's language on what constitutes an "emergency" and how long waivers remain valid is critical—overly broad definitions could normalize shortcuts in credentialing beyond genuine crises
  • Professional licensing board autonomy: Healthcare boards may resist ceding authority to executive emergency declarations, arguing they have fiduciary responsibility for licensee standards

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.