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Bill

SB 317

RELATING TO LACTATION CONSULTANTS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 3 co-sponsors

Hawaii SB 317 establishes professional licensing and regulatory standards for lactation consultants to improve service quality and consumer protection.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
#breastfeeding #dcca #lactationconsultants #licensure
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Bill Summary · SB 317

Legislative bill overview

SB 317 establishes regulatory standards and licensing requirements for lactation consultants in Hawaii. The bill creates a framework to certify and govern professional lactation consultants, likely including educational prerequisites, continuing education, and scope-of-practice definitions.

Why is this important

Lactation consultant regulation affects maternal and infant health access across the state. Formal licensing could improve service quality and consumer protection, though it may also create barriers to entry, increase costs for families seeking services, and impact the availability of consultants in underserved areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope creep and cost: Licensing requirements may reduce the number of available consultants and increase service costs for low-income families seeking breastfeeding support
  • Professional boundary disputes: Medical professionals (nurses, OB-GYNs) and naturopaths may contest the scope of work that licensed lactation consultants can perform
  • Implementation complexity: The bill requires establishing certification standards, enforcement mechanisms, and regulatory oversight—raising questions about state agency capacity and funding

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

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