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SCR 59

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS IN THE STATE WITHOUT A HAWAII-ISSUED LICENSE DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carol Fukunaga and 5 co-sponsors

Allows certain out-of-state health professionals to practice in Hawaii without a Hawaii license during declared emergencies to boost disaster healthcare response.

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 827).
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Bill Summary · SCR 59

Summary of SCR 59 (2026) – Hawaii

Title

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS IN THE STATE WITHOUT A HAWAII-ISSUED LICENSE DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY

Purpose and intent

SCR 59 requests the Governor to create emergency procedures that would allow certain health care professionals to practice in Hawaii without a Hawaii-issued license during a state of emergency or local state of emergency. The aim is to improve the state’s disaster response by enabling rapid mobilization of qualified professionals to address medical and behavioral health needs in the aftermath of natural disasters and public health crises.

Key provisions and changes proposed

  • Authorized professions (during emergency only):
    The Governor would designate the following professionals to practice in Hawaii without a Hawaii license under specified conditions:

    • Physicians and osteopathic physicians
    • Physician assistants
    • Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses (including those with prescriptive authority)
    • Emergency medical service personnel
    • Pharmacists
    • Mental health professionals
    • Other health care professionals as designated by the Department of Health (DOH) in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)

  • Eligibility criteria for practitioners:
    Individuals practicing under the emergency procedures must meet:

    1. Current active licensure in good standing in another state, territory, or D.C., or have previously held a license in good standing in Hawaii that was not revoked or surrendered under discipline
    2. No history of license revocation, suspension, or disciplinary surrender
    3. Affiliation with a state or county government agency, hospital, licensed health care facility, federally qualified health center, or a qualified volunteer organization (consistent with the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act)
    4. Compliance with the scope of practice, standards of care, and prescribing authority of their home jurisdiction (not exceeding Hawaii’s standards)

  • Telehealth provisions:
    The emergency procedures could authorize telehealth from out-of-state professionals without an in-person visit or existing provider-patient relationship, provided that:

    • Services comply with home jurisdiction laws and standards of care and federal privacy laws
    • All patient records are transferred to a Hawaii-licensed provider upon request or during care transition

  • Duration and accountability:

    • Authorization to practice under these procedures would expire when the emergency declaration ends
    • Hawaii DOH may revoke authorization immediately for violations, malpractice, or criminal conduct (with notice to the home jurisdiction)

  • Liability and protection:
    The emergency procedures and any accompanying agreements should specify that no civil liability attaches to the State, counties, or facilitating entities for good-faith actions under the procedures
    Practitioners would remain subject to Hawaii malpractice laws and insurance requirements

  • DOH duties and reporting:

    • Create and maintain an online registry of eligible professionals, including credential verification and affiliation
    • Require self-registration within 24 hours of deployment or ensure affiliation with a recognized emergency response organization that can credential
    • Coordinate license verification with DCCA
    • Develop administrative rules under Chapter 91 to implement the emergency procedures, including reporting on utilization and outcomes
    • Provide a written report to the Governor and Legislature no later than 20 days before the start of each Regular Session, detailing usage, services provided, recommendations, and proposed legislation

Affected parties

  • Potentially affected professionals seeking to deploy during emergencies (out-of-state licensees)
  • Hawaii residents receiving care during emergencies (access to care by qualified professionals)
  • Hawaii DOH and DCCA (policy establishment, credential checks, and administration)
  • Health care facilities, emergency response organizations, and patients (through telehealth and in-person care)

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The measures contemplate emergency declarations by the Governor or county mayors under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 127A
  • The procedures would be in effect only during an active state of emergency and terminate when the emergency ends
  • Regular reporting to the Legislature is required ahead of each Regular Session
  • Administrative rules would be adopted to implement the program

Overall assessment

SCR 59 seeks to streamline and preauthorate licensure flexibilities during emergencies to expedite deployment of critical health care personnel, support telehealth, and maintain patient care continuity while safeguarding professional qualifications and accountability.

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

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