WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 61

REQUESTING THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD TO STUDY THE HEALTH CARE SETTING COMMUNICATION NEEDS OF, AND DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, OR DEAF-BLIND.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jenna Takenouchi

Hawaii study bill directs Disability and Communication Access Board to examine deaf/hard-of-hearing healthcare communication barriers and create statewide medical provider guidelines.

To be offered.
#americanswithdisabilitiesact #deaf #deaf-blind #departmentofhealth #disabilityandcommunicationaccessboard #effectivecommunication #hardofhearing
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 61

Legislative bill overview

HR 61 requests Hawaii's Disability and Communication Access Board to conduct a study on communication barriers faced by deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind individuals in healthcare settings. The bill then directs the board to develop comprehensive guidelines to improve communication access in these medical environments.

Why is this important

Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients frequently experience serious health risks when healthcare providers cannot communicate with them effectively—leading to misdiagnosed conditions, medication errors, and reduced quality of care. Establishing statewide guidelines would standardize communication accommodations across Hawaii's healthcare system, ensuring equitable access to medical services for disabled individuals.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Healthcare facilities may face expenses implementing new communication standards (interpreters, technology, staff training), raising concerns about who bears these costs
  • Implementation feasibility: Guidelines without funding mechanisms or enforcement provisions may result in inconsistent adoption across public and private healthcare facilities
  • Scope definition: Unclear whether guidelines will address all communication methods (sign language interpreters, captioning, written materials, video relay services) or prioritize certain modalities

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

Sign in to ask a question.